From the time that COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) first impacted the performing arts, 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 coping with the pandemic 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 organizations have recently announced postponements, cancellations, and other shifts in concerts and related activities. Several orchestras are posting videos, recordings, and livestreams online free of charge, and many conservatories have moved to online learning. Please note that these organizations are revising their plans as the situation evolves; refer to their individual websites and social media pages for the most up-to-date information. (This list is not complete, and we will continue to post announcements as they arrive.)
Astral Artists (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), which develops the careers of emerging classical musicians, has cancelled the remainder of its 2019-20 concert season, which was to have run through May 2. Astral had previously cancelled events through April 4.
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Illinois) has announced the cancellation of concerts and events at Symphony Center and at offsite community locations through May 10. Pre- and post-concert events as well as education and engagement activities are also cancelled. The CSO had previously has cancelled activities through April 12.
The Cleveland Orchestra (Ohio) has cancelled all concerts and activities through the end of May. Due to the closure of Severance Hall, public tours, rentals, and donor activities will not take place. Events for children and families as well as in-school appearances, community events, and programs at libraries and other locations have been cancelled, as have concerts by the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra. The Cleveland Orchestra is making educational content for children and families available for free online.
The Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra (Minnesota) has suspended the remainder of its 2019-20 season and may reschedule concerts for future dates. Postponed performances include the Duluth Superior Symphony Youth Orchestra’s May 3 concert. The Duluth Superior Symphony is proceeding as planned with April appearances at local clubs, depending on whether regulations will allow restaurants and bars to reopen.
The Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra (North Dakota) has cancelled its April 18 and 19 concerts as well as the April 21 Young People’s Concerts. The orchestra had previously postponed its March 21 and 22 concerts and will announce future dates.
The Jacksonville Symphony (Florida) has cancelled concerts and events through the beginning of May, due the closure of the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts by the city. The symphony will broadcast new performances by small ensembles, along the lines of a recent broadcast by the orchestra’s Percussion Section. These new performances will adhere to health and safety standards surrounding COVID-19.
The Longmont Symphony Orchestra (Colorado) has cancelled its May 9 concert. The orchestra had previously announced the cancellation of its April 4 concert.
The Louisville Orchestra (Kentucky) has cancelled the remainder of its 2019-20 season, through April 25. These include concerts at Old Forester’s Paristown Hall and the Kentucky Center. The orchestra had previously cancelled events through April 17.
The Madison Symphony Orchestra (Wisconsin) has cancelled its April 3, 4, and 5 concerts and has postponed events on March 22 and April 4 and 22. Concerts and events on April 30 and thereafter are proceeding as planned at this time.
