‘Belief in the power of music ... will bring us back’

STEPHANIE WEAVER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE LA JOLLA SYMPHONY & CHORUS

The La Jolla Symphony & Chorus held our last public event of the season in February of 2020, not unlike most other performing arts organizations nationwide. Our decision to cancel the March performance of Britten’s “War Requiem” was, in fact, made one hour before our first rehearsal with the entire roster of over 200 performers. We haven’t been able to return to the concert hall since.

As devastating as this has been for our musicians and audience members, this time of quarantine has offered us the gift of quiet and solitude. We are faced with an unprecedented opportunity and challenge to reflect and ultimately decide on how we may best transform and evolve as an organization.

We have an eye toward live programming for the 2021-22 season to safely reschedule some of the incredible works we had planned for 2020-21. In the meantime, we remain deeply committed to staying engaged with our musicians and our audiences. We even hosted our very first virtual fundraiser, titled “California Dreamin’ ” — a special evening of recorded and livestreamed entertainment, paired with a threecourse meal prepared and delivered safely to our patrons’ homes.

Adapting to these changing conditions and working to create sustainability in a future without COVID-19, we have made some modifications to our programming for the current season. We will proudly be releasing a creatively conceived, all-virtual 2021 season, titled “Stay at Home With Us.” This series will feature our signature blend of adventurous symphonic and choral programming, along with an evocative mix of interviews, solo performances, and selected prerecorded works from the La Jolla Symphony & Chorus archives. For our early bird subscribers, we have offered the opportunity to subscribe to our 2020-21 season with a “Pay What You Can” subscription option, which provides equitable access to all, regardless of economic situation.

For our devoted musicians, we have created a number of special opportunities, since they are not able to rehearse and perform together. These include workshops with special guests, chorus singalongs with guest conductors, and a Monday night lecture series, curated and hosted by LJS&C Music Director Steven Schick.

When we emerge from the pandemic situation, musicians and artists will be more needed than ever. Although it is difficult to admit that music may not be necessary for basic survival in the same way that food, shelter and medicine are, it is essential for the health of our society — our minds and our souls. It has the power to bring us together with a common language that supersedes all prejudice or inequity. When the virus danger has been lifted, and we have healed our bodies, we will need music to heal our minds, our souls and our hearts. Our musicians and artists will be the second wave of essential businesses. We have all been forced to find new ways to connect with one another during this crisis. Zoom meetings, live social media events, large-scale projects involving multiple performers and advanced technological capacity are all now commonplace. Ahead, we may still have moments where we descend into the darkness of the silence. But the belief in the power of music to support and sustain us as human beings will bring us back. Music is indeed essential.

COURTESY PHOTO