From the time that COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) first impacted the performing arts several weeks ago, The Hub has been tracking postponements and cancellations by U.S. and international orchestras, performing arts centers, and conservatories.
The League of American Orchestras is posting information about COVID-19 preparedness as a service to the orchestra field. Find resources, guidance, and updates on the League’s coronavirus preparedness site.
To help limit the spread of the virus, the following arts organizations have recently announced postponements, cancellations, and other shifts in concerts and related activities. The organizations are offering a variety of options to exchange, donate, refund, or adjust previously purchased tickets. Please note that orchestras and performing arts centers are revising their plans as the situation evolves; refer to their individual websites and social media for the most up-to-date information. (This list is not complete, and we will continue to post announcements as they arrive.)
The American Composers Orchestra (New York City) has cancelled its April 2 concert at Carnegie Hall. The orchestra will post videos online for a seven-day period of its recent Underwood New Music Readings, which were held without the public in attendance on March 12 and 13.
The American Youth Symphony (Los Angeles, California) has cancelled its April 4 Spring Concert and its Annual Gala, scheduled for May 3. The organization has also cancelled the American Youth Symphony Citizen Musician Concert at South Coast Botanic Gardens on April 23.
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (Georgia) has cancelled or postponed all orchestra performances and activities through April 12. Events in the Atlanta Symphony Hall LIVE series have been postponed. The Atlanta Symphony had previously announced the cancellation of all events through March 22.
Cal Performances, the performing-arts presenting series at University of California Berkeley, has cancelled all remaining performances and events in the 2019-20 season, through June 6. To slow the spread of COVID-19, UC Berkeley has limited campus operations through the spring semester. Classical-music concerts included appearances by the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and the Tallis Scholars, among others.
The Des Moines Symphony (Iowa) has postponed all concerts and events through May 3. The orchestra had previously postponed concerts on March 14 and 15. As previously announced, the Des Moines Symphony Academy cancelled lessons, classes, and events from March 15 to 22. From March 23 to April 4, the academy will conduct private lessons and group classes online. Rehearsals of the academy’s large ensembles have been cancelled through April 4.
The Madison Symphony Orchestra (Wisconsin) has cancelled its April 3 and 4 concerts, due to the closure of the Overture Center for the Arts, its primary performance venue. The orchestra’s May 1-3 and May 5 concerts are currently planned to go on as scheduled but may be cancelled or postponed.
The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (Missouri) has announced the cancellation or postponement of all performances through April 12, following the City of St. Louis’ prohibition of events in excess of 50 people. The orchestra had previously cancelled events through March 15. Cancelled and postponed events include classical, community, and orchestra-with-film concerts as well as a lecture in a speakers series.
Symphony NH (Nashua, New Hampshire) has cancelled its April 4 concert and postponed its April 25 family concert, in accordance with public health recommendations.
The Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra (Texas) has postponed its April 18 concert to a future date to be announced.
The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (Manitoba, Canada) has cancelled all performances until April 16. The orchestra had previously cancelled events through March 31. An orchestra-with-film concert will be rescheduled for a future date to be announced.
