WS Chronicle

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. 

“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’s COVID-19 Musician Impact Fund. 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/.