MUSIC CONTINUES FOR THE SEATTLE SYMPHONY AS IT REIMAGINES THE 2020–2021 SEASON

Music Director Thomas Dausgaard and the Seattle Symphony look forward to sharing new, socially distanced performances from Benaroya Hall in the Symphony’s upcoming 2020–2021 season. Photo by Brandon Patoc.

ORCHESTRA LOOKS AHEAD TO PHASED REOPENING AND WILL CONTINUE SHARING PERFORMANCES VIA BROADCASTS AND LIVESTREAMS THROUGHOUT 2020

Seattle, WA – Since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic closed Benaroya Hall’s doors over four months ago, the Seattle Symphony has continuously prioritized the health and safety of its audiences, musicians and staff, as well as its social responsibility to the public’s health. Throughout the Hall’s closure, the orchestra has remained committed to sharing music with the community, presenting free weekly online broadcasts of past concerts and livestreams of new programs.

With the initial concert broadcast of Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 on March 12, 2020, the Symphony’s expanded online offerings – concert rebroadcasts, original family and education programming, daily excerpts performed from the musicians’ own homes – have reached audiences here in Seattle, across the country and around the world, with viewership over 730,000. 

The Seattle Symphony now reimagines its 2020–2021 season in order to bring new performances to audiences this coming September. The organization is currently developing several phased reopening scenarios, carefully planned in accordance with Governor Inslee’s Safe Start Washington plan. 

Programs will feature onstage performances with socially distanced Seattle Symphony musicians and guest artists. While performances will not have an in-person audience until King County safely reaches Phase 4, concerts will be livestreamed for at-home viewing through the Symphony’s new streaming platform launching this September. The modified 2020–2021 season will include changes to the previously announced season, including revisions to the concert schedule, guest artist lineup and programming; further updates to come in late August.

All concert presentations will meet or exceed the safety requirements of Washington State’s phased reopening plan. Additionally, new protocols will be implemented for everything from distanced seating, to modified stage setups, to reduced touch points and improved HVAC system air exchanges throughout Benaroya Hall. More updates will be shared as plans continue to develop.

Like most cultural organizations across the country, the Seattle Symphony has not been immune to the financial repercussions of the COVID-19 health crisis. The organization has been able to keep moving forward its mission to share music with the community in part due to the generosity of the Symphony’s dedicated supporters, in addition to cost-saving measures taken by musicians and staff. 

Through a mutual agreement reached in early June, Seattle Symphony musicians will be on 50% reduced salary and work hours for the entirety of the 2020–2021 season via SharedWork plans. Senior leadership salaries have been reduced by up to 30%, and similarly, Music Director Thomas Dausgaard will also take a 30% cut in his fees received through next season. In addition to senior staff salary cuts, most administrative personnel have been placed on Standby or SharedWork plans, the latter with work hour reductions up to 50%, tentatively through August 30, 2020. All employees of the Seattle Symphony and Benaroya Hall will maintain their healthcare benefits throughout this period.

Until the Symphony’s return to the physical and digital stage this September, viewers can re-experience a collection of previously shared performances on the Seattle Symphony’s YouTube and Facebook channels. Audiences can also explore the orchestra’s rich recording history, including the latest release featuring Nielsen’s Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2 with Music Director Thomas Dausgaard. The entire Seattle Symphony recording catalogue is available on Apple Music, Spotify and Amazon.

Inspired by the orchestra’s dedication to serving the community, more than 6,000 people have stepped forward with a donation since the closure of Benaroya Hall. These funds support the Seattle Symphony Future Fund, providing critical resources to ensure a bright future for symphonic music in our community. To learn more about how to support the Seattle Symphony or to make a donation, visit seattlesymphony.org/give. The Seattle Symphony looks forward to welcoming audiences back to Benaroya Hall again soon and wishes everyone health and comfort in the coming weeks.

SEATTLE SYMPHONY

Led by Music Director Thomas Dausgaard, the Seattle Symphony unleashes the power of music, brings people together and lifts the human spirit. Recognized as one of the “most vital American orchestras” (NPR), the Seattle Symphony is internationally acclaimed for its inventive programming, community-minded initiatives and superb recordings on the Seattle Symphony Media label. With a strong commitment to new music and a legacy of over 150 recordings, the orchestra has garnered five Grammy Awards, 26 Grammy nominations, two Emmy Awards and was named Gramophone’s 2018 Orchestra of the Year. The Symphony performs in Benaroya Hall in the heart of downtown Seattle from September through July, reaching over 500,000 people annually through live performances and radio broadcasts.

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