“The response was swift after the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra announced it would require proof of COVID-19 vaccination from audience members at its concerts,” writes Ann Wright in Friday’s (12/3) Grand Junction Sentinel (CO). “ ‘We have patrons on both sides,’ said [Executive Director] Kelly Anderson…. The first event to be impacted will be … Dec. 16 at Avalon Theatre…. COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths have increased, and after consulting with members of the medical community on the symphony’s executive committee, the decision was made to change the policy…. The change also impacts the symphony’s musicians. [Music Director] Charles Latshaw … conducted an anonymous poll of the group’s musicians in August and found that ‘their vaccination rate was far higher than the county average,’ he said. ‘For most of the musicians, this is a non-issue.’… About 20–30 season ticket holders … immediately wanted refunds… At the same time, ‘we’ve also had a huge uptick in tickets sales,’ Latshaw said. If that continues, the [Dec. 16] ‘Holiday in Vienna’ concert will likely sell out, said [marketing director] Mollie Shepardson.”
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