WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (May 6, 2020) – The Winston-Salem Symphony remains committed to the health and safety of our community and is continually monitoring the development of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. The Symphony is following updates and recommendations from local, state, and national health officials, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Current recommendations prohibit gatherings of more than 10 people at least into June, and it is likely that authorized gathering sizes will not increase significantly prior to this fall. Therefore, the Symphony has cancelled the Classic Series concert cycle entitled Beethoven Celebration that was rescheduled from early April to Saturday, July 18, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 19, 2020 at 3:00 p.m.
“I know that we all share a deep sense of sadness and regret about difficult decisions like this,” said E. Merritt Vale, Winston-Salem Symphony President & CEO. “It is especially painful at a time when we would dearly love to ‘share the love’ that beautiful live music performances provide. However, it is the responsible choice on many levels, and it is certainly consistent with conclusions being drawn by other performing arts organizations across the globe. Please continue to ‘stay tuned’ as we work hard to ‘virtually deliver’ inspiring musical content until we can again gather together as we would like.”
Ticket holders have the opportunity to return their ticket as a donation. All ticket donations will be used to help support the Symphony musicians and the organization during this time through the Symphony’sCOVID-19 Musician Impact Fund, and how much the Symphony can offer its musicians depends entirely on the generous donations of patrons. The Symphony will also offer a tax letter in exchange for any ticket relinquished to the Symphony Box Office.
Ticketholders may also exchange their tickets for another concert next season or receive a refund. To donate tickets or request an exchange or refund, email boxoffice@wssymphony.org. Learn more about the Symphony’s COVID-19 ticket policies at wssymphony.org
All ticket donations, exchanges, and refunds must be made by May 31, 2020. If the Symphony does not receive instructions by May 31, the tickets will be considered donations.
For questions about ticketing options or other questions, please call (336) 464-0145, or, for the quickest response, please email boxoffice@wssymphony.org. Voicemails left at the box office phone number will be returned on Tuesdays and Thursdays while Symphony staff continue to work remotely due to the COVID-19 situation.
Other ways to support the Symphony include donating to the Symphony’s Crescendo Campaign (annual fund) at wssymphony.org and subscribing to the 2020–21 season, which is new Music Director Timothy Redmond’s premiere season of programming. The 2020–21 season includes Classics concerts celebrating everything from Mahler’s Sixth Symphony to Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A Minor, and a striking concert featuring Beethoven’s Emperor Piano Concerto, among others. Celebrated and not-to-be-missed Pops guest artists performing next season include the legendary CeCe Winans and Latin rock stars Los Lobos. Cirque de la Symphonie returns for a high-flying, acrobatic A Carolina Christmas. To find out more about the Symphony’s exciting 2020–21 season and to subscribe visit wssymphony.org/tickets/subscribe/.
For the most up-to-date Winston-Salem Symphony information related to COVID-19, please refer to the website at wssymphony.org/covid19/.
About the Winston-Salem Symphony
The Winston-Salem Symphony, one of the Southeast’s most highly regarded regional orchestras, began its 73rd season in October 2019. The 2019–20 season was Timothy Redmond’s inaugural season as Music Director and included Classics Series concerts featuring renowned guest artists such as Béla Fleck, Rachel Barton Pine, and more. In addition, the season included a Pops series featuring the Indigo Girls on stage with the Symphony as well as the music of John Williams. The annual Concert for Communityfeaturing Winston-Salem Symphony and Youth Symphony musicians returned on January 25. The Symphony also hosts four youth orchestra ensembles, and a multitude of educational and community engagement programs, including the P.L.A.Y. (Piedmont Learning Academy for Youth) Music program providing, primarily to under-served youth, instrumental music instruction and more. The Symphony is supported by Season Presenting Sponsors BB&T and Bell, Davis & Pitt, P.A.; Redmond’s Inaugural Season Sponsor Betty Myers Howell; Symphony Unbound Sponsors Chris and Mike Morykwas; as well as generous funding from the Arts Council of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County, the North Carolina Arts Council, and other dedicated sponsors. For more information, visit wssymphony.org.
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