NJSO to postpone March concerts due to regional COVID-19 outbreak

Mar 11, 2020
  • Orchestra announces postponement of concerts scheduled through March 29
  • Education and community engagement activities will be postponed until at least March 29

NEWARK, NJ—The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra will postpone its concerts through March 29 due to the escalation of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak in New Jersey and the tri-state region. Plans to reschedule these concerts, if possible, will be announced at a later date. The Orchestra will also suspend its education and community engagement activities through at least March 29.

NJSO President & CEO Gabriel van Aalst says: “The health and safety of our patrons, musicians, staff and communities are our highest priority. It is crucial that we do our part to protect our communities and to help slow the spread of this virus in our region. This is especially important to the NJSO because many of the patrons and communities we serve statewide fall into the categories of those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19.

“NJSO concerts and activities will resume once we are confident that it is safe to hold public events. We will follow updates and guidance provided by the CDC and New Jersey Department of Health to make the most informed decision possible.”

The affected concerts include performances of Beethoven’s complete piano concertos (March 19–22) and Beethoven’s “Eroica” Symphony (March 26–29).

Patrons who have tickets for these performances will have multiple ticket options from which to choose. The NJSO will offer free exchange opportunities; details are available at njsymphony.org/coronavirus.

The NJSO offices will be closed starting March 11 at 6 pm, with an anticipated reopening on March 30. Staff, including Patron Services representatives, will work remotely. Patrons with questions for Patron Services can reach a team member by email at tickets@njsymphony.org or leave a phone message at 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476).

Families with questions about education and community engagement activities can email education@njsymphony.org or call 973.735.1733.

The latest updates to the NJSO’s coronavirus response plan and frequently asked questions are available at njsymphony.org/coronavirus.

 

New Jersey Symphony Orchestra

Named “a vital, artistically significant musical organization” by The Wall Street Journal, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra embodies that vitality through its statewide presence and critically acclaimed performances, education partnerships and unparalleled access to music and the Orchestra’s superb musicians.

Music Director Xian Zhang—a “dynamic podium presence” The New York Times has praised for her “technical abilities, musicianship and maturity”—continues her acclaimed leadership of the NJSO. The Orchestra presents classical, pops and family programs, as well as outdoor summer concerts and special events. Embracing its legacy as a statewide orchestra, the NJSO is the resident orchestra of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark and regularly performs at State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick, Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, Richardson Auditorium in Princeton, Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown and bergenPAC in Englewood. Partnerships with New Jersey arts organizations, universities and civic organizations remain a key element of the Orchestra’s statewide identity.

In addition to its lauded artistic programming, the NJSO presents a suite of education and community engagement programs that promote meaningful, lifelong engagement with live music. Programs include school-time Concerts for Young People and the NJSO Youth Orchestras family of student ensembles, led by José Luis Domínguez. NJSO musicians annually perform original chamber music programs at community events in a variety of settings statewide through the NJSO Community Partners program.

Tickets are available for purchase by phone at 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476) or at njsymphony.org.

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Website: njsymphony.org
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YouTube: @NewJerseySymphony
Email: information@njsymphony.org

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra’s programs are made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, along with many other foundations, corporations and individual donors.

 

Press Contact

Victoria McCabe, NJSO Senior Manager of Public Relations & Communications | 973.735.1715 | vmccabe@njsymphony.org

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