Music still brings us together
It’s become a cliché to say it, but this is an extraordinary and unprecedented time. It is the very nature of the COVID-19 crisis that makes it the greatest challenge the performing arts in the U.S., as we know them, have ever faced.
During past crises — World War II, 9⁄11, Oklahoma City, assassinations of leaders — orchestras have been able to lean into our strength, which is bringing people together and using music to remind us all of our common humanity. Now, out of concern for everyone’s health, including our patrons, staff, and performers, our Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra is unable to perform live concerts. We are literally all separated from each other, including from our musicians. Despite the challenges, music can transcend these barriers.
We are working hard to reinvent ourselves and continue meeting our mission of enriching and inspiring our community through the transformative power of music. Educational opportunities include virtual lessons by Philharmonic musicians, section-by-section educational presentations and a project for students to make their own violin at home.
We’ve offered a number of our past performances for streaming, with commentary by Music Director Eric Jacobsen, under the title “OPO on the Record.” In a new partnership with WMFE 90.7 HD2, we are now offering “OPO on the Air,” a series of full concerts for broadcast.
These are all ways we are working to maintain our mission, but we know there is no substitute for live performance — for actually sharing music in real time with other human beings, both those on stage performing and those in the audience. We want to get back to that as soon as we can, but we know that arts groups like orchestras and theater companies — who depend on gathering large numbers of people indoors — will be among the last to return to pre-pandemic operations. We’re watching and waiting and making plans for a whole variety of scenarios.
We know that we will have to adjust to new realities, but we also know that the music will play on. Putting safety first, we are committed to bringing live music back as soon as it is possible to do so.
We extend our deepest sympathy to everyone affected by the coronavirus crisis, and we are looking forward to the day when we can, once again, bring everyone together to share the joy of live orchestral music and the special feeling that comes from experiencing it with other people.
We do have one suggestion. It’s a time of dramatic change and many important developments in our nation and the world. We urge you to keep informed about what’s going on, but we also suggest that you give yourself an occasional respite from the news of the day. Take time to listen to music. Think of that piece you enjoy most — maybe a great symphony by Mozart or Beethoven, maybe Beyoncé, maybe Marvin Gaye — find a recording, and let music touch your soul!
It’s a reminder that life will go on, and why life is worth living. And take time to tell someone you love them. Now, more than ever, we’ve been reminded of the things in life that are truly important. Our families, our friends, our community — never take them for granted.
From all of us at the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, we wish you good health, please wear a mask, and we look forward to seeing you at our next concert ... hopefully very soon.
Paul A. Helfrich is the executive director of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra.