June 12, 2020

As the scale of the pandemic emerged, it became clear that fulfilling Symphony‘s mandate to provide accurate coverage of its impact on orchestras was going to require new articles, new analysis, new resources, new insights. Gathering, evaluating, and reporting that information took additional time—even as orchestras moved from postponing individual concerts to cancelling a few concerts at a time to shutting down their entire seasons. So the print edition of the Spring 2020 Issue of Symphony came out later than planned. The latest edition of the magazine offers wide-ranging coverage of how orchestras are coping with the unprecedented impact of the global health crisis. Articles include an overview of the situation as it evolved, an in-depth report on how orchestras are adapting, and a look at orchestra livestreams from one viewer’s perspective. And this issue lists vital resources and assistance from the League of American Orchestras during the pandemic.Also in the new issue: how orchestras are celebrating the centennial of the 19th Amendment with commissions by women composers, and an examination of the ways that orchestras are addressing climate change. A special section highlights the music festivals that bloom every summer—with the caveat that while the information about the festivals was current at press time, the pandemic disrupted many summer music festivals.

Robert Sandla
Editor in Chief
Symphony 
League of American OrchestrasRead the Spring Issue of Symphony.

What’s in the new issue:

The Score
News and updates from orchestras everywhere. In this issue: orchestras confront coronavirus; Simon Woods named League of American Orchestras’ next president and CEO; progress at National Alliance for Audition Support, which works to increase the numbers of Black and Latinx musicians at orchestras; awards and honors for the orchestra field. Plus: Essential resources and assistance to orchestras from the League during the pandemic.

Arena or Sanctuary: The New Roles of Public Institutions
What role should nonprofits play in today’s rapidly evolving society? League President and CEO Jesse Rosen and Daniel H. Weiss, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, discuss how nonprofits and their boards are adapting to new expectations about transparency, ethics, and community engagement.

Music in the Time of a Pandemic
In the midst of the global pandemic and shut-downs that are forcing concerts to be cancelled and seasons to end prematurely—with significant financial challenges—orchestras and musicians are finding ways to keep the music going by embracing a new digital normal.

Up Close, Far Away
With large-group gatherings banned and concert halls closed due to the novel coronavirus this spring, orchestras performed their concerts to empty halls—the audiences were online. A report on the new experience of watching orchestras perform live for virtual audiences.

Can You Hear Her Now?
This August will mark the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing women the right to vote—and orchestras are responding with commissions of music by women composers this season and next. A century after the passage of the Amendment, the right to vote is more timely than ever.

New Sounds for Summer
Summer music festivals often venture beyond beloved blockbusters to explore new music. These range from deep-dive events that focus exclusively on new music to festivals that commission, perform, and spotlight contemporary scores in the context of the canon—lending new perspectives to both.

Summer Music Festivals 2020
A classical guide to what’s on this summer, featuring League of American Orchestras business partners. (Note: information in this guide was correct at press time; check each organization’s website or social media for the most current information.)

Re: “Unheard Voices” Cover Story
Reactions to Symphony‘s Winter 2020 cover article, which examined the longstanding underrepresentation of Black composers in the orchestral canon; reported on the recent increase in performances of music by Black composers; and asked whether orchestras’ new interest in Black composers signifies a lasting commitment.

Eco-Friendly Orchestras
At a time of climate change, the environment and sustainability practices are growing concerns for the classical music field. How are American orchestras addressing their environmental impact, and what kinds of sustainability efforts go beyond the call of duty?

Coda: Homes Away from Home
Singer-songwriter Gabriel Kahane is spending increasing time writing and performing music with orchestras, with a string of commissions on timely topics.Check out the Spring Issue of Symphony.