Concord Orchestra Communications: Covid-19 and impact on the 2021-2022 Season
February 3, 2022
As we transition back to in-person concert experiences, The Concord Orchestra is committed to your safety and comfort.
We will monitor federal, state, and local guidelines, and use them to implement safety protocols throughout the 2021-2022 season.
Safety protocols
Concord Orchestra musicians, staff, and volunteers at the venue are fully vaccinated and boostered.
Staff and volunteers will wear masks at all times and musicians will do so when possible.
Wind and brass players will take and report a negative Covid rapid test prior to each rehearsal and concert.
All patrons are required to show proof of vaccination and must wear masks at all times while inside 51 Walden.
In addition:
- Masks and hand sanitizer available in the Lobby
- Reduced hall capacity/physically distanced seats (45% - 100 seats rather than 220)
- Reduced contact at performance (people flow, tickets, payment, program books, etc.)
- Please follow the instructions from the ushers
- No food or drink served
- 51 Walden has installed UltraVation BioGardUV™ Upper-Room Convection Germicidal UV Units in the main hall and lobby areas. For details, refer to Airborne Virus Mitigation at 51 Walden
The Concord Orchestra will proactively communicate with ticket holders about any changes to safety protocols across the season.
Ticket holders who are not comfortable with a given update may request a refund.
Please also check this page periodically or contact ticketmanager@concordorchestra.com for updates as we get closer to the concert dates.
January 2022
Concord Orchestra Update: JANUARY CONCERTS ARE CANCELLED
It is with great regret that we announce the cancellation of the Concord Orchestra’s January 28th and 29th performances at 51 Walden. We were so looking forward performing our de Falla, Lalo, and Sibelius program for you under the baton of Robert Lehmann and with violinist Charles Dimmick.
The current pandemic circumstances affect everything involved in presenting an orchestra concert. We are all eager to make music, but we also want everyone to feel safe. While all our musicians are vaccinated and those who can, are wearing masks (i.e., strings, percussion, conductor, volunteers), it has become clear over the last few weeks that this may be insufficient protection during this extremely contagious Omicron surge. So, we are taking a pause for January.
We hope the overall situation improves as we move into February and beyond. We are still planning to present the rest of our season (March/May concerts). Please view our concert programs and dates. We will also do our best to reschedule the January 2022 program for some time in the not-too-distant future!
Warm Regards,
Edith Epstein
2020 - 2021 Season Notices
Concord Orchestra Communications: Covid-19 and impact on the 2020 - 2021 Season
May 2021
Concord Orchestra Update: MAY POPS CONCERTS ARE CANCELLED, BUT...
PLEASE JOIN US MAY 22 for a Short String Orchestra Concert
The Concord Orchestra
Spring Has Sprung!
Saturday May 22, 2021
Two 30-minute String Orchestra performances, 7:45pm & 9:00pm
Eric Culver, Guest Conductor
Guidelines for musicians, patrons, and volunteers - May 22, 2021
February 27, 2021
Concord Orchestra Update: MARCH CONCERTS ARE CANCELLED
Due to the continuing high Covid-19 rates here in Massachusetts the Concord Orchestra has been unable to rehearse in February. We will reassess the situation in March - April 2021 and let you all know how our efforts evolve.
January 14, 2021
Concord Orchestra Update: JANUARY CONCERTS ARE CANCELLED
Due to the continuing high Covid-19 rates here in Massachusetts the Concord Orchestra has been unable to rehearse in December and January. We will reassess the situation as we head into February 2021 and let you all know how our efforts evolve.
November 22, 2020
Concord Orchestra Update: DECEMBER CONCERTS ARE CANCELLED
The Concord Orchestra had a great couple of weeks rehearsing with Channing Yu in October. Unfortunately, as October drew to a close, we became increasingly concerned about the Covid-19 surge here in Massachusetts and decided it was unwise to continue rehearsing for the December concert cycle. We will reassess the situation as we head into the winter and let you all know how our efforts evolve.
October 6, 2020
Concord Orchestra Update: OCTOBER CONCERTS ARE CANCELLED
We are very happy to let you know that 51 Walden has successfully reopened, COVID-19 protocols are in place, and members of the Concord Orchestra have been safely rehearsing in the building since September 8th!
Our musicians are very excited to be playing together again in smaller groups. We are currently having short weekly string orchestra rehearsals and small brass ensemble rehearsals. We've been reading and rehearsing with conductor Eric Culver, learning how to listen, play, and be a cohesive ensemble with fewer musicians, sitting far apart, and wearing masks when possible.
While it's been great experience for us, it is too soon for us to perform a concert. So, the October concerts are cancelled.
However, we are looking ahead and will soon start rehearsing music with conductor Channing Yu for the string orchestra version of the December concert. We very much hope that December concerts will take place.
August 27, 2020
Dear supporters and friends,
The Concord Orchestra has been creatively exploring ways to resume live performances at 51 Walden. Like so many performing arts groups, we are facing the tremendous uncertainties brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition, we are saddened to report that our long time Music Director, Richard Pittman, will not join us this season for health reasons. While we greatly miss his leadership, we are forging ahead.
Over the last few months, we have been planning our 2020-2021 season. We are optimistic that we will resume making music and presenting concerts at some point during the season and are very excited to be working with four New England based guest conductors. Our aspiration is to perform, be safe, and be flexible!
The 2020 – 2021 Season
While planning our season, we have enjoyed exploring music for groups of different sizes and configurations. We have found some real gems that we hope to perform for you!
For each concert set our guest conductors are creating two possible programs, one for full orchestra and another for reduced size chamber orchestra.
As we progress through the season, we will decide whether or not we can perform each concert set and also select the concert programs to fit the current public health guidelines.
Covid-19 Safety
We are actively consulting with 51 Walden and the Town of Concord as they develop guidelines for use of the building. We want to ensure a safe environment for both musicians and audience members. We expect the guidelines to include social distancing and this will reduce both the size of the orchestra and the audience. A socially distanced live concert will most likely be for chamber orchestra (8 – 22 musicians) with an audience limit of 50 – 60.
Guidelines for musicians, patrons, and volunteers - May 22, 2021
Subscriptions and Tickets
Due the current uncertainty and the reduced hall capacity, we are choosing not to offer 2020-2021 season subscriptions.
We will sell individual, general admission tickets approximately two weeks prior to each concert, giving priority to past subscribers.