ALTOONA – The Altoona Symphony Orchestra is excited to announce its spring 2021 concert series.
The Altoona Symphony Orchestra continues to work diligently to navigate the ongoing pandemic situation working with local partners to provide a safe opportunity for patrons to attend live performances. It’s proud to offer a Spring Concert Series to be held at the Historic Mishler Theatre, beginning on Saturday, April 10.
It has now been more than a year since the orchestra has graced the stage of the Historic Mishler Theatre, and while members are still not able to perform as a full orchestra just yet, they are determined to provide musicians with safe opportunities to perform and patrons with opportunities to safely enjoy live music once again.
The Altoona Symphony Orchestra has spent countless hours preparing for a safe return to performance for both its musicians and audience members.
After much discussion, and in consultation with medical personnel, regional universities, and other regional performing arts organizations, the ASO has drafted an extensive return to play protocol.
This includes the masking of all performance individuals (including any wind instrument participation), safe social distancing on-stage, more frequent and extended break periods during rehearsals, entering and exiting through specific doorways as determined by their instrumentation and the provision of personal care items such as hand sanitizer, disposable masks, sanitation wipes and other considerations.
Musicians will undergo symptom checks before entering the Mishler Theatre for rehearsals or concert performance, and will be required to leave should they exhibit symptoms at any time, though the ASO will still honor their performance contract.
Audience members can expect similar safety protocols held throughout our fall Musician Spotlight Series. While state mandates will still largely limit the capacity of the Mishler Theatre, the ASO is thrilled to welcome a small audience once again for its spring concert line-up.
Audience members need to consider the following guidelines when determining their comfort level in attending a concert this spring:
• Attendance is limited to no more than 250 audience members.
• Guests must maintain a safe social distance of at least 6ft. unless you are in the same party.
• Guests are required to wear a mask when entering, moving about, and exiting the Mishler Theatre. Masks may be removed only when seated and the concert begins.
• Guests are asked to enter and exit the Mishler Theatre through designated entry points, and at designated entry times, based on seating. Details will be provided at time of ticket purchase.
• Hand Sanitizer will be provided at the entry and exit points of each aisle.
• If you have a fever, have any signs of being sick, or have been in contact with anyone who is sick or displaying symptoms, please choose to stay home. Anyone displaying symptoms may be asked to leave.
Spring shows will feature a string orchestra only until at least May 15. The spring concert series will include three classical concert events and one pops concert.
The three classical concerts will feature Antonio Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, under the direction of Maestra Teresa Cheung. The pops concert will be a Salute to Boston Pops under principal pops conductor, Nick Palmer.
Tickets for the spring concert events will be $25 for adults and $15 for students (including box office fees) and may be purchased through the Mishler Theatre Box Office at 814-944-9434 or online at www.mishlertheatre.org.
The ASO is also proud to, once again, offer a Pay Per View Live Stream of each performance. Tickets for the livestream are also available through the Mishler Theatre Web site.
The Altoona Symphony Orchestra is currently in its 92nd year of providing Blair County and the surrounding region with the highest level in music entertainment and educational opportunities.
The ASO also places a large focus on education and community outreach all while remaining fiscally aware and responsible. For further information on these concerts and other programs, please visit the Web site: www.altoonasymphony.org.