From TOLEDO ALLIANCE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
The Toledo Symphony and Toledo Ballet announced today that all performances and events for the remainder of the 2019-2020 season, through June 6, 2020, will be cancelled due to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s stay-at-home order effective through May 1, 2020 and continuing social distancing recommendations. Ticket holders may contact the box office at boxoffice@artstoledo.com to donate the value of their tickets to the organization or request a refund.
“On behalf of the musicians, dancers, teachers, staff, and trustees of the Toledo Symphony and Toledo Ballet, thank you for your patience and understanding at this time,” says Zak Vassar, President & CEO. “Thank you for the generosity that so many of you have shown us and please encourage others to continue supporting our organization at this critical time.”
Despite cancellations, both organizations have turned to alternative ways to deliver programs. On March 13th, the Toledo Symphony livestreamed its Masterworks performance from the Peristyle. Archival performances from the Toledo Symphony and Toledo Ballet are now broadcasted on WGTE Presents: TSO in HD, on Channel 30 and other local WGTE television stations on Sundays at 6PM, now through May 17th. Toledo Symphony musicians are Sharing Music While in Isolation on Toledo Symphony social media pages by self-recording intimate, at-home performances of music they love. Michael Lang, Resident Choreographer for the Toledo Ballet, has provided meditation and Qigong Facebook Live sessions. New episodes of the award-winning Toledo SymphonyLab podcast continue to air on Wednesdays at 3:30 PM on FM91, and all previously aired and extended episodes can be found online or on Apple podcast.
Private lessons and classes for both organizations have moved online as well. The Toledo Ballet and Toledo Symphony School of Music have pivoted to a purely virtual model.
“Our teachers and staff across the board have worked tirelessly to continue lessons,” says Lisa Mayer-Lang, Artistic Director of the Toledo Ballet. “We are all searching for stability and hope during this time, and schedules, routine, and familiar smiling faces all provide comfort to parents and students alike. We need the arts now more than ever for our physical and mental well-being, and we are happy to continue providing those services.”
In addition to virtual lessons, a collection of educational activities for students of all ages has been specially curated, and Toledo Symphony Music Director Alain Trudel invites former band and orchestra musicians to dust off their instruments and Play With Alain. Designed for instrumentalists at different ability levels, this interactive project allows anyone to perform alongside one of the world’s greatest trombonists right at home.
“We are all incredibly proud of the work we have done over the past month,” continues Vassar. “These virtual performances, activities, and archival broadcasts will have to sustain us for a while until we can be together in-person again.”
Vassar adds, “Thank you to everyone in our community for continued support for Toledo Symphony and Toledo Ballet. The Toledo community has always been resilient during tough times, and the people who make up this great place inspire us to continue creating new and innovative ways to connect. Until we meet in-person again, please take care, be safe. We can’t wait to see you when it is safe to do so.”
