INDIANAPOLIS — In the 90-year history of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, nothing like this has ever happened—an entire season canceled.
The ISO announced Friday that the 2020-2021 season, which lasts until next June, will not take place as planned. The decision came following a meeting of orchestra management and the Orchestra Committee, which represents the musicians. The "complicated and uncertain backdrop of the pandemic" forced the decision.
The ISO issued this statement:
“While our mutual desire is to return world-class music to a city that has been upended by the events of the last few months, we recognize the challenges presented to the ISO by the pandemic and unforeseen
economic pressures. For those reasons, the 2020-21 indoor season will not go on as planned.
Although we will not be able to bring you the performances we had planned, we are committed to collaboratively exploring creative ways to continue to connect with our patrons and return to performing if conditions allow.
We will also be meeting to discuss how the musicians will be supported in the interim, with a priority on providing health insurance for the musicians and their families.
The pandemic only heightens our shared resolve to assure the ISO is positioned to provide the most transformational and impactful programs for our community.
The progress made during these discussions is a promising step in reemerging and in re-imagining the ISO’s long-term future. The ISO management and musicians are committed to working together to
build a vibrant, thriving ISO and look forward to returning to the concert stage.”
The ISO first took to the stage in 1930. Although there have been a few work stoppages over the years, never has an entire season been canceled.
