NEWS RELEASE
Date: March 16, 2020 Contact: Lexi Locke
For Immediate Release Phone: 417.864.6683
Photos Available Upon Request Cell: 417.860.9690
lexi@springfieldmosymphony.org
Springfield Symphony to cancel The Civil War in Missouri concert
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Springfield Symphony Orchestra (SSO) is cancelling its concert and related-events for The Civil War in Missouri, originally scheduled for March 28, 2020 at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. Due to the escalation of the coronavirus outbreak in our community and across the nation; the SSO Board, Executive Director, and Music Director along with a task force have taken the position that the Springfield Symphony must be proactive, follow the recommendations given, and protect the health of its patrons, musicians, and staff. The Springfield Symphony is exploring rescheduling The Civil War in Missouri at a later time.
Over the course of the last 10 days, the Springfield Symphony has been closely monitoring the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) both locally and nationally. The majority of orchestras around the country have either cancelled or postponed their March concerts. Most universities have decided to conduct classes online/remotely and are extending the date for students returning back to campus if even at all this semester. This includes Drury, Evangel, College of the Ozarks, and quite possibly MSU. As many are aware, this concert specifically includes a collaboration with the student choirs.
A State of Emergency was declared by Governor Parsons and a National Emergency declared by President Trump on March 13. There are two confirmed cases in Greene County, therefore it is very plausible that the area will have several more confirmed case(s) in the weeks to come. SSO concerts will resume once the organization is confident that it is safe to hold public events. The Springfield Symphony will follow updates and guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) along with our local government to make the most informed decision possible.
For more details and updates regarding the coronavirus, visit the CDC website. Plans to reschedule The Civil War in Missouri concert, if possible, will be announced at a later date. The SSO is notifying all ticket buyers of changes via email, website and phone. Patrons who have tickets for March 28th performance will have multiple options from which to choose. Do not call the Hammons Hall Box Office. If you need to exchange your tickets, you may contact the SSO office at seasontickets@springfieldmosymphony.org or (417) 864-6683. Additionally, the SSO will continue to update the website.
The Springfield Symphony asks that all questions/requests come to the SSO office as we are best equipped to address those. The SSO offices will be closed starting March 16 at 4:30 pm, with an anticipated reopening on March 30. Staff will be working remotely. When inquiring with questions regarding the March 28th ticket donation or exchange process, please leave a phone message or send an email. Please allow for 3–5 business days for a response.
The Springfield Symphony Orchestra is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation and an Equal Opportunity Employer. Additional funding for all Springfield Symphony Orchestra programming is provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency. For more information, visit www.springfieldmosymphony.org or www.facebook.com/springfieldsymphony.
###
