Introducing the New 20/21 Season - The California Symphony

July 22, 2020

California Symphony is known for doing things differently, and if ever there was a moment to lean into this side of who we are and what we do, it’s now. We are excited to share news about our updated plans for the 20/21 season.

We continue to create and to innovate in partnership with our California Symphony community. During the spring fundraiser, supporters joined us in donating hundreds of cloth masks to essential workers, and our musicians performed for local healthcare heroes. In May, we presented our first-ever online concert for donors and patrons, and in June, we presented an unconventional UnGala: Symphony in Slippers. In July, ground-breaking four-part low-cost adult education class Fresh Look—The Symphony Exposed went online for the first time, attracting more than three times the number of households compared with last year and making the symphony accessible to classically-curious adults across the Bay Area, state, and beyond.

Looking ahead, one thing that remains certain is our mutual need for connection through music, and California Symphony is committed to following through on our promise to deliver that to you. The 20/21 season has been reimagined so together we may continue sharing music and community with you. With your continued support, here is how we are making that happen.

1. Doubling Down—and Doubling Up—on the Music with Second Saturdays @ California Symphony

Instead of presenting two concert programs through the end of the year, California Symphony will now share four FREE virtual concerts online and on Walnut Creek TV, spotlighting fresh performances by featured soloists, plus conversation with Music Director Donato Cabrera. Concerts will premiere live at 7 PM every second Saturday of the month, on September 12, October 10, November 14, and December 12, 2020.

These concerts are made possible by California Symphony donors, with additional support from a CARES Act grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

— And, if you’re a California Symphony donor, look out for additional behind-the-scenes experiences and opportunities to interact with Maestro Cabrera, musicians, staff, and each other. We’ll share more details in the weeks to come.

2. In 2021: A Six-Week Runway to Concerts

Looking ahead to the second half of the 2020/21 season, January to May 2021, each concert will be announced six weeks in advance. In the event that we are able to perform in front of a live audience, a limited number of pre-sale tickets will be offered to subscribers before going on-sale to the general public.

3. 20/21 Becomes 21/22

The original line up of concerts in the 20/21 season that we were all so looking forward to will now shift forward one year to 21/22. Dates and programs will be as close as possible to those originally planned and details will be communicated as they are finalized.

We ask our wonderful, loyal subscribers to stick with us by keeping the value of their subscriptions on-account in order to retain priority seating privileges and other subscriber benefits, while also locking in 20/21 subscription prices. Subscribers to the 20/21 season do not need to take any action at this time: renewals will automatically roll over to the 21/22 season.

We thank you for your continued support and loyalty as we present this new, reimagined season in a way that keeps our musicians and you, our audience, safe, and which keeps alive the vibrant, exciting, high quality music experiences we all love to share.

We so appreciate the opportunity to partner with you and to serve you and our community.

Sincerely,