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 resources and information about coping with the pandemic as a service to the orchestra field. These resources include information about the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security package; discussion groups and one-on-one consultations for League members; guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and other authorities; and more. Find regularly updated resources and information on the League’s coronavirus preparedness site.
The following orchestras and music organizations have recently announced postponements, cancellations, and other shifts in concerts and related activities due to the global pandemic. Many orchestras, musicians, conservatories, and others are posting videos, recordings, and educational resources online free of charge; visit the League of American Orchestras’ new, regularly updated directory of digital programming at SymphonySpot.org. Note: orchestras and music festivals are revising their plans as the situation evolves; refer to 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 Greensboro Symphony Orchestra (North Carolina) has announced new dates for two concerts that were postponed during the 2019-20 season. The March 28 concert will now be performed on December 10, 2020, and the May 9, 2020 concert will be given on May 15, 2021.
Maverick Concerts (Woodstock, New York), has cancelled its 2020 Chamber Music Festival, scheduled for June 27-September 12, as well as two fundraisers. This was to have been the organization’s 105th festival. “The Maverick Hour”—a twelve-part series of broadcasts featuring past concerts recorded live at the Maverick Concert Hall—will be aired each Sunday from June 28 to September 13 on WMHT-FM.
Pasadena Pops (California) has rescheduled its 2020 Summer POPS Series at the Los Angeles County Arboretum to Summer 2021. All concerts and events have been transferred to dates in June, July, and August in 2021.
The Peabody Symphony Orchestra (Baltimore, Maryland), an ensemble at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, has moved instruction, coaching, and rehearsals to online platforms and has cancelled all performances for the Spring 2020 semester. The conservatory and Johns Hopkins University have posted educational resources, including information about coronavirus, for free online.
The Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival (New Mexico) has cancelled its 2020 season, which was scheduled to run July 19–August 24, as well as its July 17 season-launch celebration. The festival plans to hold its next season July 18–August 23, 2021. The festival will make partial payments to all musicians who were scheduled to perform this summer. The festival continues to offer year-round music education programs to public schools, with instruction now presented virtually. The festival’s radio series, produced and distributed by Chicago’s WFMT, is available online.
