SEATTLE SYMPHONY EVENTS POSTPONED OR CANCELED THROUGH MAY 31, 2020 TO REDUCE SPREAD OF COVID-19
Music Director Thomas Dausgaard and the Seattle Symphony commit to sharing music throughout the duration of closure with rebroadcasts of past performances from Benaroya Hall. Photo by Carlin Ma.
ORCHESTRA TO CONTINUE FREE REBROADCASTS AND LIVESTREAMS THROUGHOUT CLOSURE
SEATTLE, WA – In an effort to reduce the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), all Seattle Symphony performances are either canceled or postponed through May 31, 2020. As our community confronts a current global health crisis, the Seattle Symphony will continue sharing performances that provide strength, comfort and joy through video rebroadcasts and livestreams throughout the duration of the closure.
“It was an immensely difficult decision to cancel the orchestra’s performances through May, but our priority is ensuring the health of our Seattle Symphony family and community,” says Krishna Thiagarajan, President and CEO of the Seattle Symphony. “Music is transformative and withstands the tests of tragedy and time. We’ve been Seattle’s soundtrack since 1903 and are collectively making sacrifices so this orchestra can continue being Seattle’s soundtrack for the next 100 years and beyond. The encouragement received thus far has been overwhelming, and we are inspired by the world’s response to music during these uncertain times.”
“The Seattle Symphony, from one of the localities in America hardest hit by the virus,
has been at the forefront, with live streams and rebroadcasts expanding the connections the orchestra shares with its audience.” – CNN
The Seattle Symphony is organizing additional free rebroadcasts, solo performances and livestreams until the orchestra can return to the Benaroya Hall stage. In addition to rebroadcasting past performances, the musicians of the Seattle Symphony are sharing “Morning Notes,” short daily video clips of solo musicians performing, on the Seattle Symphony’s social media accounts.
The first rebroadcasts of Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 on March 12 and 14 reached over 130,000 people around the world. Of these streamed concerts, The New York Times Magazine stated, “The performance felt symbolic: a declaration that connection and solidarity and collective beauty would continue, that we could still gather together even as we stayed apart.”
In response to requests from families and retirement communities, the Seattle Symphony expanded its online broadcast offerings to include a new “Meet the Instruments” program for children, which premiered today with Principal Tuba John DiCesare, and a new Sunday matinee concert rebroadcast starting this Sunday, March 29, 2020 at 2 p.m. PDT on YouTube and Facebook.
To date, total viewership for these streamed concerts is over 212,000 people from across the United States and around the world. Additional programming will be shared in the coming days. For more details, visit seattlesymphony.org/live.
“My hope is that the music we share is a balm in these troubling times,” shares Music Director Thomas Dausgaard. “It’s been so touching to see hundreds of thousands of people around the world tune in for our broadcasts each week. Sharing music together has helped me feel connected in a time of isolation, and I cannot wait to be reunited soon at Benaroya Hall.”
“Finding new ways to connect with audiences has always been part of the DNA of the Seattle Symphony and its musicians,” says Seattle Symphony clarinetist Eric Jacobs. “Although the developing story of COVID-19 has been heartbreaking, I am continually inspired by the creative ways we have found to share stories through music. I hope they can offer the comfort, strength, joy, or distraction you need while we're not at Benaroya Hall.”
Inspired by the orchestra’s promise to continue sharing music with the community, Seattle Symphony Board member Stephen Whyte has generously pledged to match gifts, dollar-for-dollar throughout the orchestra’s closure. These funds launch the Seattle Symphony Future Fund, providing critical resources to ensure a bright future for symphonic music in our community.
“Sharing the joy of music is more important now than ever,” states Seattle Symphony Board Chair René Ancinas. “The Seattle Symphony is not immune to the financial repercussions rippling throughout our country and the world. As a nonprofit arts organization, we rely on our community for support, especially in uncertain times like these. We’re asking all our friends near and far to consider the role music plays in their lives and, if they’re able, give a gift to ensure this orchestra will be here for decades to come.”
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 very soon.
The following events through May 31, 2020 are either canceled or postponed:
- April 2–5: Wayne Marshall Plays & Conducts Gershwin (Canceled)
- April 3–4: Tiny Tots: The Strings: Mother Goose (Canceled)
- April 3: Steven Osborne Beethoven Piano Sonatas (Canceled)
- April 9–11: Joe Hisaishi Symphonic Concert: Music from the Studio Ghibli Films of Hayao Miyazaki (Postponed to July 15–17, 2021)
- April 13: Pure Yanni (Canceled)
- April 16–19: The Music of John Adams (Canceled)
- April 17: Five Beethoven Cello Sonatas (Canceled)
- April 23–25: Bernstein Songfest (Canceled)
- April 24: Han Lash & Hub New Music (Canceled)
- April 24: First Concerts: Meet the Percussion (Canceled)
- April 26: Drum Tao 2020 (Canceled)
- April 27: Musical Conversations: Haydn (Canceled)
- April 27: Merriman Family Young Composers Workshop Concert (Canceled)
- April 30–May 2: Haydn The Creation (Canceled)
- May 1: [untitled] 3 (Canceled)
- May 2: The Adventures of Peer Gynt (Canceled)
- May 7: Tyshawn Sorey in Recital (Canceled)
- May 12: Jim James with the Seattle Symphony: The Order of Nature (Canceled)
- May 15–16: Handel & Bach (Canceled)
- May 17: Anthony Romaniuk In Recital (Canceled)
- May 21: Rachmaninov Festival 1 (Canceled)
- May 22: Rachmaninov Untuxed (Canceled)
- May 23: First Concerts: Meet the Oboe (Canceled)
- May 23: Rachmaninov Festival 2 (Canceled)
Ticket holders may donate their tickets back to Seattle Symphony, apply the ticket value toward an upcoming Seattle Symphony performance, or hold the value on account. Ticket holders will receive an email regarding all the options available and can contact the Seattle Symphony Ticket Office by emailing tickets@seattlesymphony.org. Updates on Seattle Symphony and for Benaroya Hall concerts and events can be found at the links provided.
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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