2020-2021 Season
Dear Spire Community,
I want to spend a few minutes today updating you of the Spire Chamber Ensemble’s plans for the upcoming 2020 – 2021 season. As a special supporter of Spire’s work, I want you to be the first to know.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought devastation and calamity on many fronts, and one casualty – for now – is large choral performances. Based on the best research available, leading scientists have concluded that the safety of our musicians and audiences from being exposed to the coronavirus cannot be assured at traditional indoor choral concerts. Therefore, in the interests of the safety of you and our musicians, the Board of Directors has decided we will suspend at least until January 2021 all large indoor choral performances. Singing at indoor locations has been connected by health experts to 'super spreading' events, and the act of singing could be a source of aerosols that can transmit the virus.
For ten seasons now, Spire has attained our distinct and exquisite sound utilizing choral artists and period instrumentalists with many flying from all around North America to Kansas City to provide audiences a rare level of choral music-making found anywhere else in the country. What makes us unique now adds another significant risk factor to our operations. The safety of our musicians and our audience is of utmost importance.
We have crafted a way forward and I am excited to share some good news with you! Considering the best scientific advice and from choruses across the globe, and with input from our supporters, I am excited to announce our Fall 2020 Season Re-imagined.
From September through December we will perform in small configurations, online, and outdoors.
Our Fall Season is unlike anything we have ever done before, but we are committed to offering content that will continue to thrill, comfort, and excite you through the remainder of 2020. We are convinced that music is an important part of our healing from this pandemic and we look forward to sharing this with you.
I hope you will join me for Re-imagined and together we will return stronger than ever! Watch for news in the coming weeks about the upcoming fall season.
With deepest gratitude,
I want to spend a few minutes today updating you of the Spire Chamber Ensemble’s plans for the upcoming 2020 – 2021 season. As a special supporter of Spire’s work, I want you to be the first to know.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought devastation and calamity on many fronts, and one casualty – for now – is large choral performances. Based on the best research available, leading scientists have concluded that the safety of our musicians and audiences from being exposed to the coronavirus cannot be assured at traditional indoor choral concerts. Therefore, in the interests of the safety of you and our musicians, the Board of Directors has decided we will suspend at least until January 2021 all large indoor choral performances. Singing at indoor locations has been connected by health experts to 'super spreading' events, and the act of singing could be a source of aerosols that can transmit the virus.
For ten seasons now, Spire has attained our distinct and exquisite sound utilizing choral artists and period instrumentalists with many flying from all around North America to Kansas City to provide audiences a rare level of choral music-making found anywhere else in the country. What makes us unique now adds another significant risk factor to our operations. The safety of our musicians and our audience is of utmost importance.
We have crafted a way forward and I am excited to share some good news with you! Considering the best scientific advice and from choruses across the globe, and with input from our supporters, I am excited to announce our Fall 2020 Season Re-imagined.
From September through December we will perform in small configurations, online, and outdoors.
- We plan to perform concerts, singing in outdoor spaces throughout the community for short performances with a small number of musicians, and following social distance guidelines and best health practices. These projects will take place in some of Kansas City’s most beautiful and historic outdoor venues.
- We plan to continue online offers of exclusive interviews with Spire artists, releasing archival video, and creating new digital performances.
- We will launch new educational initiatives including online lectures curated by me and world-renowned guest lecturers.
Our Fall Season is unlike anything we have ever done before, but we are committed to offering content that will continue to thrill, comfort, and excite you through the remainder of 2020. We are convinced that music is an important part of our healing from this pandemic and we look forward to sharing this with you.
I hope you will join me for Re-imagined and together we will return stronger than ever! Watch for news in the coming weeks about the upcoming fall season.
With deepest gratitude,
|
Ben A. Spalding
Founder and Artistic Director |
Past Seasons