Coronavirus cancels TFO concerts
In accordance with the stay-at-home order issued by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, The Florida Orchestra is canceling the rest of its concerts through the end of the season in May to fight the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Tampa Bay.
As an orchestra, we thrive on the live experience with our audience. Our instinct is to provide hope, comfort and healing through the power of music when our community needs it most, so it’s especially disheartening that we can’t be together in the concert hall right now. But we can stay connected and keep the music going in other ways. Here are updates on how to hear The Florida Orchestra’s music, and answers to some of your questions.
What concerts are canceled?
TFO’s season is still scheduled to go through the end of May, but coronavirus concerns have forced the cancellation of concerts since March 20. These are the upcoming concerts that are canceled, most at TFO’s three main venues: the Straz Center in Tampa, the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg and Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater:
April 22-23: Once Upon a Concert Coffee concert
April 24: Livin’ Thing: The Music of The Electric Light Orchestra Rock concert
April 25-26: Prohibition Raymond James Pops concert
May 1-3: Beethoven’s Fifth: Darkness to Light Masterworks concert
May 3: Woodson Chamber Series: Cello and Piano Duo
May 7: Made in America Coffee concert
May 9-10: Free Pops in the Park concerts at Coachman Park in Clearwater and Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park in Tampa
May 13: Free Happy Hour Concert at Armature Works
May 14: From Russia with Love Coffee concert
May 15-16: Superhero Soundtracks Pops concert
May 22-24: Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 Masterworks concert
May 30-31: Play Me a Story Family Concerts
How can I hear TFO perform while concerts are on hold?
To help lift up our community as we face this health crisis, TFO will keep the music going through weekly radio broadcasts for free on Classical WSMR 89.1 and 103.9 FM radio and online at WSMR.org, thanks to TFO’s partnership with the station. Find out how to listen here. TFO musicians also are doing short performance videos straight from their homes to yours via Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Watch several here.
Will more concerts be canceled?
TFO leadership is monitoring this situation as it evolves. Any decision to cancel additional concerts will be made roughly two weeks before the performances.
Are the TFO ticket center and offices staying open?
Our ticket center in downtown St. Petersburg is not open for in-person transactions at this time. We encourage patrons to continue to renew or purchase their 2020/2021 season tickets online or by mail or phone at 727.892.3337 or 1.800.662.7286. Although TFO offices are closed for safety reasons, our staff is diligently working remotely to plan concerts, communicate with patrons and donors and prepare for our 2020/21 season.
What if I already purchased tickets to a canceled performance?
During this difficult time, The Florida Orchestra appreciates your support more than ever to keep TFO strong. Without ticket revenue, which accounts for about 40 percent of TFO’s operating budget, the orchestra is relying solely on contributions to keep the music and its mission going.
Because the coronavirus crisis has forced the cancellation of more concerts than anticipated, The Florida Orchestra is updating its policy for unused tickets. It is The Florida Orchestra’s hope that you will consider donating your unused tickets back to TFO to aid in our ongoing operations. To ensure that your unused tickets are allocated properly, please click on this form to indicate your preference. Please note that all ticketholders are asked to submit this form, even if you have contacted the TFO Ticket Center previously.
The deadline to submit the form is June 1, 2020. If no action is taken, the value of the tickets will revert back to TFO in the form of a tax-deductible donation.
For assistance and questions, please email the Ticket Center at ticketcenter@floridaorchestra.org. If you purchased tickets through the venue, please contact their sales center directly.
This policy supersedes all previous notices regarding tickets for concert cancellations.
How can I help?
Today your support of The Florida Orchestra is more important than ever. Without ticket revenue, we depend solely on your contributions to support our daily operations, even while we’re not in the concert halls. You can help your orchestra emerge from this crisis strong and poised to help our community heal through the power of music.
If you have already made a gift to TFO, you have our heartfelt gratitude. If you are in a position to help further, please consider the role extraordinary live music plays in your life and support your Florida Orchestra with a gift of any amount today. Thank you.
How are you doing?
We’ve heard from many patrons who miss attending Florida Orchestra concerts. This time of “social distancing” is necessary but it can be lonely or isolating. We hope you will stay safe and healthy, as we look forward to bringing our TFO community together again soon at a live performance.
