Music Director Alexander Mickelthwate conducts the Oklahoma City Philharmonic in October 2020. Photo by Heather Hanson
“With its Saturday Classics concert, featuring selections by Shostakovich, Ravel and Prokofiev … the Oklahoma City Philharmonic will receive the energy of performing for a live audience for the first time since November,” writes Brandy McDonnell in Sunday’s (2/21) Oklahoman. “Between the COVID-19 pandemic and the wintry weather, the OKC Philharmonic has continually rearranged its 2020-21 season slate, including postponing this weekend’s planned Pops programs … and offering its annual Christmas show as a virtual-only show…. Saturday’s concert will be at the Civic Center Music Hall [with] COVID-19 protocols…. Music lovers can opt instead to attend a dress rehearsal or buy a virtual ticket and stream the show. Due to this month’s snowy weather, the OKC Philharmonic postponed its Pops series concerts ‘Ragtime and All That Jazz’ to March 5-6. The inclement conditions created many challenges for the nonprofit arts organization, including busted water pipes at its offices…. Music Director Alexander Mickelthwate built the season around selections that require fewer than 50 musicians…. The orchestra has … introduced a new ‘Harmonious Happy Hour’ Facebook Live series…. ‘We’re just trying to reach people in any way we can,’ said Susan Webb, the philharmonic’s marketing and public relations director.”
