THOMAS DAUSGAARD, MUSIC DIRECTOR
Season-End Newsletter
YOUR IMPACT IN FOCUS You keep our music playing. And we will all gather to experience the music together again — because of you! When the audience left following the Seattle Symphony’s Celebrate Asia concert on March 8, 2020, no one could have imagined how long it would be until those seats were filled again. Within days, Governor Jay Inslee announced a two-week restriction on large gatherings in response to the coronavirus pandemic, closing Benaroya Hall. That hiatus would stretch to more than a year. This past year has been filled with uncertainty, but it has also been filled with music — because of your support. What began with video messages from Seattle Symphony musicians recorded in their homes and archival concerts broadcast on social media has grown into a full digital season on a new streaming service, Seattle Symphony Live. The support of generous people like you made the orchestra’s successful digital transition possible. Now — with you by our side — the orchestra is on the road to recovery and the future ahead is bright. This spring small, socially distanced audiences began returning, bringing musicians and audience together again after a separation of more than 14 months. Melinda Bargreen of The Seattle Times, who attended in person on May 20, described the moment: “The immediacy and power of live music was almost shocking. A classical music critic since 1975, I’m long habituated to the live-concert experience — but I’ll never take it for granted again. The visceral thrill of hearing the actual sound waves of great music emanating from the stage, after such a long absence, was indescribable. Looking around the resonant but sparsely populated hall, it was clear from the level of rapt attention that other music lovers were deeply affected as well.”
“The visceral thrill of hearing the actual sound waves of great music emanating from the stage, after such a long absence, was indescribable.” – Melinda Bargreen, The Seattle Times In the upcoming 2021–2022 season, we look forward to safely welcoming audiences in greater numbers back to Benaroya Hall to share in the unmatched experience of live music once again. What began this spring with scattered applause at our first in-person concerts will grow to a mighty ovation as we slowly work our way back to full attendance. And in the months and years ahead, every ovation will be for you. As a Seattle Symphony supporter, you are making the return to live music possible. Thank you for bringing our season of music to life! For updates on the reopening of Benaroya Hall, please visit seattlesymphony.org/planyourvisit. PHOTO: Seattle Symphony audiences returned to Benaroya Hall in small numbers this spring for the first time in over 14 months.
Support your Symphony with a season-end gift today! The Seattle Symphony relies on the generosity of the community we serve to fulfill our mission of lifting the human spirit through the power of music. Your season-end gift will help ensure our music plays on in the season ahead and for many years to come!
seattlesymphony.org/donate | 206.215.4832