Santa Rosa Symphony's first SRS @ Home Virtual Concert exceeds expectations and goals

While other orchestras of similar and larger size have laid off musicians and staff and pressed the pause button, the Santa Rosa Symphony has reimagined its season and moved forward with virtual concerts recorded on the Weill Hall stage at the Green Music Center, where they have been Resident Orchestra since its opening. These concerts, enhanced with introductions of the pieces from the musicians, are streamed on YouTube to audiences around the globe. The Symphony pairs these monthly concert experiences with live pre-concert talks and post-concert Q&As with the Symphony's charismatic Music Director, Francesco Lecce-Chong.

In a bold move, the Symphony increased access by making the concerts free, to bring joy during a time of isolation and uncertainty. The voluntary donations received during the first concert streamed on October 11 exceeded budgetary expectations, and is comparable to the average revenue traditionally raised through single tickets for a live, four-performance concert weekend.

SRS President and CEO Alan Silow said, "We are so thrilled at the response to these virtual concerts. The challenges of implementing appropriate health and safety protocols and obtaining approvals, which spanned months, has paid off with an unprecedented dividend. This model so perfectly expresses our vision of creating 'one of the nation’s leading regional symphony orchestras, recognized as a model of artistic vibrancy, educational leadership, fiscal vitality, and community engagement.'"

Other orchestras in California and across the country have closely followed Santa Rosa Symphony's progress in navigating the challenges in this new territory for performing arts organizations.

Lecce-Chong said, "What an absolute joy to be on stage again with my fine colleagues, making music together and sharing it freely with the world. This model affords our audiences a closer look at our exquisite hall and the programming beautifully showcases the tremendous talent within our orchestra. I'm so very grateful to all of the musicians, everyone in our organization and to our loyal patrons for making this successful event possible and helping to pave the way forward."

The inaugural SRS @ Home concert amazed and delighted diverse audiences, who enthusiastically commented from their homes, where they watched on computers, TVs and other devices with family or outdoors with neighbors. Nearly 3,000 unique viewers, many joined by family members or friends, watched the premiere on Sunday, October 11.

Classical music critic Steve Osborn, in his congratulatory and enthusiastic, positive review, said, " The smaller orchestra, which Lecce-Chong conducted without score, proved a revelation in experiencing Beethoven’s intricately woven textures. All the parts were distinct throughout, with heretofore hidden sounds shining through brightly."

The SRS @ Home concerts are available once, for free, to the public, then made available for 30 days to Symphony Season Subscribers and donors of more than $250. In addition, subscriber benefits also include exclusive access to guest artist recitals and a recording of the celebratory concert at the opening of Weill Hall, also on YouTube. The Symphony continues to sell subscriptions.

The upcoming SRS @ Home concerts are on November 15 and December 13, 2020.