Fort Wayne Philharmonic Cancels Remainder of 2019-2020 Season

Postpones PHILharmonious Gala and Sensory Friendly Concert Until Next Season

Board of Directors Votes Unanimously to Continue Musician Pay Through The End of The 2019-2020 Season

 

FORT WAYNE, IN — April 9, 2020:  The Fort Wayne Philharmonic announced today that the remainder of its 2019-2020 Season is now canceled, including all concerts and events through May 17. Summer 2020 concerts are currently scheduled to begin on June 26. More information about summer 2020 concerts will be forthcoming at a later date.

The Philharmonic is committed to the health and safety of its patrons. The Orchestra administration will continue to monitor the global situation, and is receiving updates from governmental agencies in order to protect fellow Hoosiers. This includes the current quarantine and recommendations to curtail all non-essential gatherings and practice social distancing. The Philharmonic will communicate further plans as more is learned from governmental health officials and directives are issued by the Governor's Office.

Said Music Director Andrew Constantine:  “We are sorry to disappoint you, our loyal audiences, as we exist to perform transcendent music just for you. The power of music is healing for us all, and because of that, we are currently creating ways to reach you on various media platforms with the beauty of the arts as we work through this challenging period. Please stay tuned for more information as plans continually are being developed.”

MUSICIAN AND STAFF SALARIES ARE ENSURED
While many businesses across the country are furloughing employees, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Board of Directors has generously committed to supporting the financial wellbeing of its musicians, arts administrators, and their families through the end of the 2019-2020 Season.

Said Board Chair Chuck Surack:  “We would like to take a moment to thank our audiences and supporters for their continued support, kindness, flexibility, and patience as we navigate through this unprecedented time in our community and country. In the interim, the Board of Directors voted unanimously at its April meeting just this week to maintain the salaries of our musicians and administrative staff through the end of the Season. These employees are vital to the continuance of world class music in our community and region, and this investment will help us emerge through the pandemic and position the institution for the future.”

CONTINUED SUPPORT
Said Managing Director James W. Palermo:  “The Fort Wayne Philharmonic is now in a period of canceled concerts, empty houses, and with a Season that has prematurely ended. We respectfully request that our patrons, ticket holders, and friends consider donating the cost of their unused ticket purchases back to the organization, but of course we will do whatever is necessary to serve our loyal patrons. Small gestures of kindness and understanding could have a profound effect on the future of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. We gratefully thank our ardent supporters for their consideration and look forward to offering great symphonic music again on the other side of the pandemic.”

 

THE FOLLOWING CONCERTS ARE NOW CANCELED OR POSTPONED:

4/19 A Sensory Friendly Concert:  Classical Favorites - Postponed to the 2020-2021 Season

4/25 Masterworks Series, Beethoven’s Violin - Canceled

4/29 & 5/3 Freimann Series, Bliss - Canceled

5/2 Pops Series, ABBA The Concert - Canceled

5/8 Bach in the Barn - Canceled

5/16 Masterworks Series, Constantine Conducts Shostakovich - Canceled

5/17 Youth Symphony Orchestras Final Concert:  Across the Stars - Canceled

 

TICKET OPTIONS:

  • Donate the value of your tickets.
    • Available for all concerts listed above
  • Patrons can now make ticket requests online by logging in to their accounts at fwphil.org

It is requested that all ticket holders make their requests by the end of the day on Friday, May 29, 2020. All tickets remaining after that date will be considered donations to the Philharmonic. Updates will be posted at fwphil.org and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Box Office outgoing voicemail will also provide updates if there are any changes to schedules or policies. Patrons are asked to email [email protected] or call 260.481.0777 with questions.

In an effort to reduce the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Box Office will be closed to public access until further notice.

PHILharmonious GALA POSTPONED UNTIL THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020:
The Philharmonic’s successful and popular gala fundraiser Philharmonious, which supports the Orchestra’s education and community engagement programs, was originally scheduled for June 5, but now has been postponed until Thursday, September 24, 2020. The event will take place in the same venue location, the beautiful Clyde Theatre. More information will be forthcoming.

Said PHILharmonious co-chair Carole Fuller:  “We are working with partners at the Clyde Theatre and our auctioneer to ‘up our game’ at the Gala this year. This temporary postponement will allow us more time to emerge from the health challenge and reposition PHILharmonious as a ‘welcome back to the Orchestra season’ for our loyal donors, friends, community members and citizens from the entire Northeast Indiana region.

Said PHILharmonious co-chair Ben Eisbart:  “We have a spectacular evening planned for the Gala and the wait will be well worth it. Coming together with great food, music and auction items in support of education and engagement programs is a great way to support the future of our youth in Northeast Indiana.”

SOCIAL MEDIA AND ONLINE CONTENT BEING DEVELOPED:
Concert cancellations have not stopped the Philharmonic from fulfilling its mission to inspire and foster a lifelong love of symphonic music through performance and education. A new comprehensive digital platform communication plan called FWPhil2U has been developed and will be implemented beginning this week. Included will be video content from various constituent groups, Musically Speaking online sessions, 20/21 Season intro videos, new or enhanced WBNI/WBOI Weekly Programs, education content for the public and for students, as well as Fun Facts, How to Videos, Event Reminders, Donor Messages, Throwback Thursdays, and Holiday Pops on Sale Promos. For more information and a complete and updated schedule of events, please visit fwphil.org, and Philharmonic social media platforms. For additional information please contact Douglas Dennis at [email protected].

 

2020-2021 SEASON PLANNING CONTINUES - SUBSCRIPTION SERIES ENSURE THE FUTURE:
Planning for the 2020-2021 Season continues without pause.

Said Music Director Andrew Constantine:  “The 2020-2021 Season will offer audiences a most amazing array of music with performers including our own flutist Luke Fitzpatrick and oboist Orion Rapp, as well as the legendary pianist, Yefim Bronfman. Scheduled are return visits of dear friends to the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, including soprano Karina Gauvin and pianist Stewart Goodyear, as well as a long overdue appearance by the tremendous violinist, Rachel Barton Pine, to play Barber’s rhapsodic Violin Concerto. As you perhaps know, the world is celebrating Beethoven’s 250th birthday and there’ll be no shortage of masterpieces by this great composer across different Series,” said Constantine.

Subscription purchases remain the best way to ensure the stability of the 2020-2021 Season. Subscribers will receive additional benefits like free exchanges and savings on additional single ticket purchases, and only subscribers are guaranteed the very best seats at the very best prices. More information about becoming a subscriber is available at fwphil.org.