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 reduce the spread of the virus, orchestras and other music organizations are obeying government bans on large gatherings, adhering to shelter-in-place mandates, and complying with guidance from health authorities. The following organizations have recently announced postponements, cancellations, and other shifts in concerts and related activities. Several orchestras are posting videos, recordings, and streamed performances 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.)
The Akron Symphony Orchestra (Ohio) has cancelled the remaining performances of the current season, through May 16. The orchestra’s annual spring gala, scheduled for April 17, will take place in a new, virtual format.
The Alabama Symphony Orchestra (Birmingham, Alabama) has cancelled its April 30 concert at the Alabama Theatre, due to ongoing developments with COVID-19.
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (Georgia) has cancelled all orchestra performances through May 11 and will announce the status of the balance of the season by May 1. The Woodruff Arts Center is closed through April 7, with Atlanta Symphony Hall LIVE events beyond that date subject to rescheduling. The orchestra is introducing “ASO Virtual Stage” on social media; it will feature videos by musicians, stories and memorabilia from the archives, and videos of past concerts.
The Charleston Symphony Orchestra (South Carolina) will reschedule performances through April 18, due to limitations on large gatherings at its venues through May 11. On March 27, the orchestra will stream a concert from earlier this season that featured watercolorist Mary Whyte.
The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra (Virginia) has cancelled the remaining concerts of the season, due closures at George Mason University Center for the Arts through May 18. The orchestra will release recordings of past performances from its archives.
The Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra (Park Forest, Illinois) has cancelled concerts on April 18 and May 5 and 6. A determination on the May 16 performance will be made in the coming weeks. The orchestra is developing online programming for audiences who would have otherwise attended its youth programs.
Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra (Lincoln, Nebraska) has cancelled the remainder of its 2019-20 season to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. The symphony plans to reschedule repertoire from these concerts on programs next season. The orchestra had previously cancelled its annual gala and its March 14 concert at the Lied Center for Performing Arts.
The Plainfield Symphony Orchestra (New Jersey) announced that concerts scheduled for April 25, 2020 and May 16, 2020 have been cancelled. Videos of past Plainfield Symphony performances are being added to its website.
The Rogue Valley Symphony (Ashland, Oregon) has postponed its April 17, 18, and 19 performances due to closing of the facilities where rehearsals and performances would take place. New dates for the concerts will be announced.
Utah Symphony | Utah Opera (Salt Lake City, Utah) has suspended all performances through May 23 in response to the state’s increased COVID-19 precautions and Salt Lake County Arts and Culture’s closing of performing arts venues through May 15. The symphony and the opera are posting audio, playlists, performance clips, educational resources, instructional videos, and podcasts on their websites and social media channels.
The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO) has cancelled all concerts through May 31 and has tentatively rescheduled its Netherlands Tour to May 2022. Orchestra-with-film concerts originally scheduled for April 4 and 5 are now slated for September 25 and 26. On March 18, the Winnipeg Symphony announced that over 100 workers were being furloughed due to the impact of COVID-19.
