Even as COVID-19 numbers swell, and other performing arts organizations cancel fall seasons, the Dallas Symphony is at least tentatively planning concerts starting in September.
They won’t be the programs previously announced, but concerts with smaller numbers of musicians socially distanced on the Meyerson Symphony Center stage. Attendance at the DSO concerts will be limited to 5% of the Meyerson’s seating capacity, at least until infections decline.
Existing subscribers were informed of the plans in a July 1 email from Kim Noltemy, the DSO’s president and CEO.
“Despite the recent spike in coronavirus cases, we are optimistic that we will be able to offer live music to our subscribers during the fall,” Noltemy’s email says, “and we are dedicated to ensuring that our audience and musicians remain safe.”
Noltemy adds that the DSO’s plans were approved by a medical consultant who is a specialist in infectious diseases.
Subscribers will receive updated programming information in a few weeks. Given the uncertainties of the pandemic, plans certainly may change.
“The orchestra has agreed to play more concerts of each program if needed, and therefore, we will be able to accommodate all subscribers who would like to attend,” the email continues. “We may have to change seat locations due to social distancing guidelines, and we will contact each of you by phone later this summer to review the protocols and to determine which concerts you would like to attend.”
The email also outlines safety procedures planned for the Meyerson:
Ongoing deep cleaning and sanitization of public spaces;
Installation of new air filters recommended by the CDC;
No intermission for concerts in September and October (perhaps extending through the end of the year);
Valet parking only available for those with disabilities;
Elevators to allow one party or one person at time;
Optional temperature check stations in the lobby;
Masks required for audience members, with complimentary masks available (unless there is a medical reason which prevents mask wearing);
Time of arrival, restroom location, seat location and specific door assigned for ingress and egress;
Seating 10 feet or more apart for any people who are not living together. The DSO will attempt to seat people as close as possible to their subscription seats;
Hand sanitizing stations available throughout the lobby;
A ticketless concert experience to avoid contact with staff working the door;
Patrons may leave and enter the concert hall at pauses in the program;
Patrons will be asked to depart by section in a staggered manner;
DSO management is still investigating what food and beverage service will be possible.
In the absence of public concerts, DSO musicians have been recording chamber and chamber-orchestra performances in high quality video and audio. They are available at mydso.com, as are earlier DSO audio and video recordings.
Although the DSO in June announced furloughs and salary reductions for administrative staff, it has kept musicians on their contracted salaries.
