The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and guest conductor Brett Mitchell with violin soloist Karen Gomyo at Will Rogers Auditorium in Texas, October 2020. Photo by Smiley N. Pool
“When the pandemic forced cancellation of live concerts last spring, many organizations expanded their internet presence,” writes Tim Giovanni in Tuesday’s (3/30) Dallas Morning News. “The Dallas Symphony offered delayed video streams of chamber music performances.… In the fall, … the Dallas and Fort Worth symphony orchestras revamped their programming for reduced onstage ensembles…. Even when live concerts returned to North Texas, musicians and administrators still maintained an online focus…. Among the groups that have offered livestreams are Chamber Music International and Dallas Chamber Music Society…. Many organizations are planning for the best-case scenario—live concerts presented with safety protocols—while keeping back-up options in mind…. Starting in September, the Dallas and Fort Worth symphonies both intend to give full-orchestra performances, with increased audience capacities…. But … ‘We do have concerns about how regularly people will come, when they start coming back,’ Kim Noltemy, president and CEO of the Dallas Symphony, says…. Keith Cerny, the Fort Worth Symphony’s president and CEO, … added that it’s hard to determine the impact the pandemic might have on subscription sales…. After months of uncertainty, classical music groups in North Texas are carefully moving toward a new normal.”
