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What to expect during covid: Symphony Edition

What to Expect During COVID: Symphony Edition

December 2, 2020 by Grace Treutel
Art, Culture, Live Music, Musicians
alabama, classic, classical music, hso, huntsville, huntsville al, huntsville al live music, huntsville alabama, huntsville amphitheater, huntsville live music, huntsville music, huntsville orchestra, huntsville symphony orchestra, live music huntsville al, live music huntsville alabama, music venue, orchestra, outdoor event, outdoor venue, symphony, symphony orchestra, venue
Orchestra Image

In late September, we told Huntsville that the Huntsville Symphony was back – with a few modifications. And, in mid-November, HuntsvilleMusic.com decided to check these modifications out and report back so you, the lovely people of this weird rocket city, would know what to expect if you decided to hit up the Mark C. Smith Concert Hall at the VBC.

Our consensus on the modified symphony experience?

Awesome.

Our night kicked off with a few pre-show drinks at one of our favorite bars, the Poppy. Tom and I had both been to the symphony before, but we wondered aloud what it would be like in this COVID-cautious atmosphere. He guessed that there would be fewer musicians; I mourned the intermission, since we knew that the concert would be one full hour, start to finish, with no break.

After we warmed ourselves up with Guinness, we walked the short distance to the concert hall. Masks were a must, and we were in good company as we stepped inside, noting that the rest of the show-goers were masked as well. According to very clear signage, it was a requirement.

Orchestra

Another requirement was staying in your assigned seat since the seating is spread out to allow for deliberate social distancing. In between each group of audience members were at least two empty seats to ensure the health and safety of everyone in attendance.

We were helpfully directed to ours by an excited usher, who called out after us as we edged into our seats, “It’s so good to have you here!”

This level of cheer was infectious; you could tell that everyone around us was buzzing with excitement and had missed attending concerts put on by their beloved symphony.  The greeters at the door had been just as peppy, with crinkled-up eyes that belied big smiles beneath their masks. (And all this joy with the concert hall’s cocktail bars closed!)

Even the musicians seemed more animated than usual: fidgeting on stage, jiggling legs, glancing out at the audience. The excitement was palpable. There was distance between them, too – each individual musician was spaced out from his or her fellow artists to allow for social distancing, and I whispered to Tom that I was curious how that would affect the sound. “Do you think it will be thin?” I asked.

But before Tom could answer, the lights dimmed, voices dropped to whispers, and it was showtime.

Music Director and Conductor Gregory Vadja took to the stage and, after a brief introduction, lifted his arms and rounded out a swell of anticipation that popped with the first clear, perfect note.

I can tell you – the sound was far from thin.

Aleksandra Kasman

It was full and gorgeous and filled up the whole hall, all the way up to where Tom and I sat in the balcony. Our concert was from the Alps to the Appalachians, and I found that I didn’t miss the intermission one bit. Especially not when Aleksandra Kasman, the piano soloist who was resplendent in a gown seemingly made entirely out of winking, glittering stars, took the stage and poured her heart and soul out across the black and white keys.

After, Tom commented to me in a tone of awe, “I wish I could be half as good at anything as that woman is at the piano.”

The concert was punctuated with a tribute to all veterans in honor of Veteran’s Day: a medley of each military branch’s fight song, during which veterans in the audience were invited to stand and received a wave of applause in recognition of their service. It was a tasteful, uplifting tribute.

In short, even COVID-cautious the symphony makes for a remarkable night out. Whatever preconceived notions you have about symphony concerts, throw them out. It’s the perfect reason to dress up (or dress down – there is no dress code!), grab a drink or two, and sink into audible art that will take you to a completely different, stress-free reality. Something we could all use right now.

Thanks, Huntsville Symphony Orchestra – we’ll be back.

To see upcoming concerts and buy tickets, check out the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra online.

Tom & Grace at the symphony
Grace Headshot
Grace Treutel

Grace is the Content Director of HuntsvilleMusic.com and lives in Madison, AL, which really isn’t that far, guys.


Got ideas on how we can help build Huntsville’s music scene? We’re all ears. Send me an EMAIL with any questions, comments, or suggestions, and  SiGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER for important updates. Don’t worry – we won’t overload you. Important stuff only, promise.

huntsvillemusic.com/
Huntsville Symphony Orhcestra

Huntsville Symphony Returns

September 30, 2020 by Grace Treutel
Art, Live Music, News
alabama, hso, huntsville, huntsville symphony, huntsville symphony orchestra, symphony, vbc, von braun center
Huntsville Symphony Orchestra

Break out your cocktail dresses, three-piece suits, and elbow-length gloves, Huntsville – the symphony orchestra is back.

Okay, so maybe that isn’t a completely accurate representation of the dress code at a symphony concert (although a girl can dream). However, the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra does provide an option for an elegant night out, and this fall, it’s returning with two free shows.

The HSO officially resumes its 2020-2021 season on December 31st, but you don’t have to wait until New Year’s Eve to luxuriate in live symphony orchestra sounds. Instead, the orchestra is holding two Fall Festival Concerts in November, both of which will be ticketed for in-person attendees as well as streamed for at-home listeners.

 

The Four Seasons - Fall Festival 1

Fall Festival 1:

The Four Seasons

Sunday, November 1
1:30 pm and 4:30 pm
Featuring: Amy Schwartz Moretti, violin

Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Fall Festival 2

Fall Festival 2:

From the Alps to the Appalachians

Friday, November 13, 7:30 pm
Saturday, November 14, 11:00 am
Featuring: Aleksandra Kasman, piano

Current 20-21 Season Subscribers (Classical or Pops) can request tickets to the Fall Festival Concerts here.

The first Fall Festival Concerts will be offered to the community completely free, and will also be streamed for free. Subscribers will be offered tickets first, then additional seats will open up for public reservation. The second Fall Festival Concerts will be free for subscribers, then we will offer any additional seats for $25 each.

For those attending in person, both attendees and musicians will be following COVID-19 procedures to ensure everyone’s safety. According to the HSO, “These two concerts will be around an hour each to avoid an intermission, the audience and musicians will be socially distanced, and masks will be required.”

Gregory Vadja, the Music Director and Conductor, says, “The HSO staff and I are excited about being able to present live concerts to you soon, in a safe environment. We are all looking forward to returning to the stage.”

Huntsville Symphony Orchestra

And he isn’t alone in his excitement. HSO subscribers have already been grabbing their tickets to the first Fall Festival Concert, and the musicians themselves are eager to get back on the stage.

Kaitlyn Vest, a contracted cellist with the orchestra, has a unique insight into the difficulties of COVID as a performing musician. She says, “Finding musical goals during this time away from orchestral (and all live) performing has been a unique challenge, and I definitely look forward to playing in person.  I find inspiration in collaborating with other musicians in real time, as well as the irreplaceable feedback and energy from a live audience.”

As far as safety procedures go, Vest is confident the HSO will ensure the health and wellness of its members – both musicians and showgoers alike.

“The modified schedule [in November] allows for both the musicians and audience to be spaced apart, as well as an option for online attendance. I am hopeful that the Huntsville Symphony can continue to adapt and find new ways for music to continue as we navigate going forward!”

The 2020-2021 Huntsville Symphony Orchestra season will officially resume on December 31st, 2020.
To learn more about the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra including upcoming shows, ticketing information, musician information, and more, follow their season updates here.

Below is a little sample of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra with Andy Akiho percussion concerto from last year. Enjoy!

Grace Headshot
Grace Treutel

Grace is the Content Director of HuntsvilleMusic.com and lives in Madison, AL, which really isn’t that far, guys.


Got ideas on how we can help build Huntsville’s music scene? We’re all ears. Send me an EMAIL with any questions, comments, or suggestions, and  SiGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER for important updates. Don’t worry – we won’t overload you. Important stuff only, promise.

huntsvillemusic.com/

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