Relief Fund For Musicians Has Grown to $80,000; Support To Remain Through Crisis
By James DeLeon
On April 29, the Santa Cruz Symphony announced an innovative and adaptive response to the current global health crisis by unveiling their plans for its 2020-21 season.
“In consideration of the pandemic, it has become necessary to postpone subscriptions to our upcoming season. However, we’re hopeful that we will be able to perform live concerts in the near future,” said Music Director Daniel Stewart. “In addition, we are proud to present a new digital series which will directly connect our audience with our musicians.”
The Symphony will not be selling subscriptions for its 63rd season but is hoping to present at least some of the concerts it has planned. Headlining the season is the return of superstar pianist Yuja Wang in her third all-piano concert program, currently scheduled for February.
Other highlights include an all-Beethoven program in honor of his 250th birthday, Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, Brahms’ Fourth Symphony, Orff’s Carmina Burana, and more.
Dorothy Wise
“We felt it was prudent to not sell subscriptions when we can’t be 100% certain we can actually perform all those concerts,” said Executive Director Dorothy Wise. “Instead we will perform individual concerts if and when we are cleared to do so.”
The Symphony will exclusively sell single tickets to any events held this season. Subscribers will be given first choice of tickets so they can keep their usual seats if desired.
In planning for the future, the Symphony is dedicated to turning this difficult time into new creative opportunities to provide music digitally to its community.
“We are committed to providing outstanding musical experiences through a digital series until we are able to … experience the beauty of live music again,” said board president Linda Burroughs. “We are not going away.”
Despite having to cancel their March, May and June concerts, the Symphony found a way to support their musicians.
On March 16, when the shelter-in-place order was first announced in California, the Symphony set up its Musician Relief Fund, seeded by $20,000 from the general operating fund. Including cash and ticket donations, the fund has so far raised over $80,000. The first payment went out at the beginning of April.
“Thank you very much for your extraordinary support, generosity, kindness, and thoughtfulness,” wrote cellist Shain Carrasco. “While it is tragic that we won’t be able to gather to make music together this spring, this outpouring of support from our board and donors will make a huge difference to all of us struggling to keep our heads above the water in these turbulent times. Please extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved in creating this lifeline for us musicians.”
The Musician Relief Fund will be maintained throughout the shutdown in the goal of supporting the Symphony’s musicians financially independent of the upcoming digital series. The Association is planning to send out another payment in May from continued donations.
Donations to the Musician Relief Fund can be made at santacruzsymphony.org. Keeping the organization going through the shutdown is essential, and donations to the Association are also welcome.
“We are all looking forward to once again convening at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium and the Mello Center to bring orchestral music to our community,” said Wise. “More than ever we appreciate our collective Symphony family and are anxious to be together again.”
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Founded in 1958, the Santa Cruz Symphony’s mission is to inspire, educate and engage through artistic excellence, distinctive musical performances, and varied activities that celebrate and enhance cultural vibrancy. For information, visit www.santacruzsymphony.org.