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Evanston Symphony Orchestra Announces Cancellation of Final Two 75th Season Concerts And Begins Preparations For Next Season

Evanston Symphony Orchestra Announces Cancellation of Final Two 75th Season Concerts And Begins Preparations For Next Season

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Feb. 12, 2021    

Evanston Symphony Orchestra Announces Cancellation Of Final Two 75th Season Concerts And Begins Preparations For Next Season

 

Evanston, IL —Though we are thankful new COVID-19 cases are on the wane in Illinois, Cook Country and especially Evanston, and even as the numbers of those vaccinated rises, the Evanston Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Lawrence Eckerling are compelled to announce more changes to the 2020-2021 season, originally its 75th.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to perform any of the four subscription concerts we had originally scheduled this season. We simply will have no available venues for either rehearsing or performing within a foreseeable time frame.

Maestro Eckerling is already at work creating exciting programs for our new season and is in contact with guest artists. We will share these—as well as scheduled dates—as soon as we have any details we are able to announce.  All of us at the Evanston Symphony Orchestra cannot wait to get back to playing for you.

Maestro Eckerling said “As I have stated before, I miss seeing the ESO members each week, and I miss performing for our loyal audience.  As I would assume every conductor believes, I miss the collaboration with my colleagues, and can’t wait to get back to doing what we do best - rehearsing, and performing, while enriching each other’s lives with live music, so absent right now.

While it is profoundly disappointing that the rest of this season cannot happen, I have great hope that we will be back very soon.  We expect to be back for a complete 2021/22 Season and are planning accordingly.  And we are still hoping for an outdoor summer concert too, should circumstances allow us to.”

ESO General Manager David Ellis wants all subscribers to know that “Everyone who has purchased a subscription will automatically have it transferred to next season and their seat renewals/requests will also carry over. There will be no changes in ticket prices. All original order forms have been preserved.” He added that “Anyone who cannot attend the next season and desires a cash refund should either call the Symphony at 847.864.8804, email us at tickets@evanstonsymphony.org, or fill out a simple form on our website at https://evanstonsymphony.org/20-21tickets. Those wishing to donate their tickets and those who purchased single tickets should call 847.864.8804.”

During the pause in performing, the ESO also continues to stay connected to its audience and community. In addition to the newsletter, Noteworthy, that includes videos of Maestro Eckerling performing with various orchestra members, and the HighNotes print newsletters for those in senior living facilities, we have moved our free music education classes, Music In Your World, for parents and children in District 65's Head Start, Pre-K and Early Start programs online. These classes regularly create great joy among the families who join in. And, in November, with the help and support of our loyal area sponsors and advertisers, we published our 75th Anniversary booklet with a history of the ESO, photographs from the archives, and other memorabilia.

“We are still very anxious to get back to performing,” said Board Chairman Cheryl Haack. “The board and Larry will continue to monitor the situation and get the orchestra back on stage as soon as it is safe for all involved.”

The ESO Board of Directors and Maestro Eckerling want to thank the entire community, and especially our orchestra members, donors and subscribers, for their faithful ongoing support during this crisis. Your patience and gracious financial support during the pandemic have allowed the ESO to remain financially strong and ready to once again provide the community with the joy of orchestral music as soon as it is possible to do so.

While waiting for the resumption of performances, Maestro Eckerling recommends you check out these past performances of the orchestra:

3 Suggested videos:

There are many more on the website at ESO Videos.

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