The Delaware Symphony Orchestra plans to go ahead with its new season, but it will be conducted virtually.
The COVID-19 pandemic is prompting the orchestra to offer a fully digital 2020-2021 season, with no in-person audience shows.
The season will be presented in a video-on-demand format, with digital season subscriptions and single tickets available on the Symphony’s website.
Ticket holders and their household will receive a unique link to view the concert as soon as it premieres, and they will be able to view it more than once for 30 days after the link goes live.
DSO Executive Director J.C. Barker says presenting the performances in this manner was the safest way for everyone involved.
"We felt like it was the safest way to proceed our safety of our musicians and our patrons and, of course, our staff was the first thing on our minds,:aid Barker. "And we now believe we've got a really great state of the art way to do this and deliver a great product."
Barker adds the goals for crafting this season were simple.
"Not only the safety of everybody involved, but so that we could continue to well just bluntly keep some money in the musicians pockets," said Barker. "And we have come up with a plan and budget so that we can do that, and hopefully by this point next season we'll all be looking forward to opening a big season opener in person back at the Grand."
The season starts in October and continues with one concert per month. There will be nine concerts total this season, three Chamber Series concerts and six Classic Series concerts.
Delaware Public Media' s arts coverage is made possible, in part, by support from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency dedicated to nurturing and supporting the arts in Delaware, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.
