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Spokane Symphony Postpones 75th Anniversary Season For A Year

Spokane Symphony

The Spokane Symphony says it is postponing its upcoming 75th anniversary season for a year because of the coronavirus.

The traditional Labor Day weekend concerts at Liberty Lake and Comstock Park have been cancelled. The rest of the season, include masterworks and pops concerts, will be pushed back until the ‘21-’22 season, says executive director Jeff vom Saal.

“While it’s unfortunate to have to wait, I really do feel it’s the right thing," he said. "We’re going to have a great celebration year the next year and we’re going to be able to bring back these wonderful conductors, amazing guest artists as the orchestra remains resolute and determined and positive about what lies before us. It’s just a matter of timing," vom Saal said.

“The symphony is not going away during this time and the Fox will not be dark. But, instead, we see this coming year as a real time of opportunity," said Symphony Board President Elizabeth Kelley.

Vom Saal says the organization will look for new ways to engage with the community, perhaps providing music in different ways, “working on having some small ensembles, deploy them as we can, when time allows," he said. "Working with specific communities, the health care community. We’ve had great conversations with a range of different people in and around health care.”

“This time is going to force us to ask some very, very difficult questions about the way the Spokane Symphony does business, about the very model of the symphony orchestra in America and it’s going to give us a chance to reset and reimagine," Kelley said.

Symphony officials say they’ll continue to rent the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox for community events that follow state coronavirus guidelines. They say season subscribers and ticketholders can keep their current seats for next season. They can also get refunds or exchange or donate their tickets.