FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SANTA CRUZ SYMPHONY ANNOUNCES INNOVATIVE SEASON
Santa Cruz, CA – The Santa Cruz Symphony announced on April 29, 2020 an innovative and adaptive response to the current global health crisis by unveiling their plans for its 2020-21 season.
“In consideration of the pandemic, it has become necessary to postpone subscriptions to our upcoming season. However, we’re hopeful that we will be able to perform live concerts in the near future, depending on how the next several months unfold,” says Music Director Daniel Stewart. “In addition, we are proud to present a new digital series which will directly connect our audience with our musicians and special guest artists in a variety of formats.”
The Symphony will not be selling subscriptions for its 63rd season but is hoping to present at least some of the concerts it has planned. Headlining the season is the return of superstar pianist Yuja Wang in her third all piano concert program with the Santa Cruz Symphony, currently scheduled for February. Other highlights for the season include an all Beethoven program in honor of his 250th birthday, Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, Brahms' Fourth Symphony, Orff’s Carmina Burana, LIFE: A Journey Through Time by Philip Glass with images by local National Geographic photographer Frans Lanting, Moncayo’s Huapango with dance group Esperanza Del Valle, and more.
“We felt it was prudent to not sell subscriptions when we can’t be 100% certain we can actually perform all those concerts as the safety of our patrons and musicians is our top concern,” said Executive Director Dorothy Wise. “Instead we will perform individual concerts if and when we are cleared to do so. Those concerts we are not able to perform, which most likely will include our scheduled 2020 dates, will be postponed to a later date.”
The Symphony will exclusively sell single tickets to any events held this season. However, subscribers will be given first choice of tickets so they can keep their usual seats if desired. In planning for the coming season and beyond, the Symphony is dedicated to turning this difficult time into new creative opportunities to provide music digitally to its community.
“We are committed to providing outstanding musical experiences through a digital series until we are able to return and allow us all to experience the beauty of live music again,” said board president Linda Burroughs. “Maestro Stewart has innovative and creative ideas on how we can keep our devoted patrons engaged through alternative media platforms. We are not going away, just temporarily pausing until our world is safe for us to embrace each other and our shared love of music again.”
Despite having to cancel their March, May and June concerts from this season, the Santa Cruz Symphony has still found a way to support their musicians. On March 16, when the shelter-in-place order was first announced in California, the Santa Cruz Symphony set up its Musician Relief Fund, seeded by $20,000 from the general operating fund. Including cash and ticket donations, the fund has so far raised over $80,000. The first payment from this fund went out at the beginning of April to a resounding appreciation from musicians.
“Thank you very much for your extraordinary support, generosity, kindness, and thoughtfulness,” wrote cellist Shain Carrasco. “While it is tragic that we won’t be able to gather to make music together this spring, this outpouring of support from our board and donors will make a huge difference to all of us struggling to keep our heads above the water in these turbulent times. I hope we may all stay safe, healthy, and that we may return to our musical home in Santa Cruz Symphony as soon as possible. Please extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved in creating this lifeline for us musicians.”
The Musician Relief Fund will be maintained throughout the shutdown in the goal of supporting the Symphony’s musicians financially. The Association is planning to send out another payment in May from donations received since the first payment.
Donations to the Musician Relief Fund can be made at santacruzsymphony.org. Keeping the organization going through the shutdown is essential, and donations to the Association are also welcome.
“We are all looking forward to once again convening at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium and the Mello Center for the Performing Arts to bring orchestral music to our community,” said Wise. “More than ever we appreciate our collective Symphony family and are anxious to be together again.”
Founded in 1958, the Santa Cruz Symphony's mission is to inspire, educate and engage through artistic excellence, distinctive musical performances, and varied activities that celebrate and enhance cultural vibrancy. With Maestro Daniel Stewart as Music Director since 2013, the Symphony partners regularly with some of the world’s greatest artists, and has earned a reputation as one of the premiere performing arts organizations in the Greater San Francisco and Monterey Bay Areas. For additional information about the Santa Cruz Symphony, visit santacruzsymphony.org.