Press Release: Omaha Symphony Announces Updated Plans for 2021
OMAHA, Neb., December 15, 2020 — The Omaha Symphony will kick off its centennial season in January with an updated slate of live performances after proving it can safely bring together musicians and audiences this fall.
“The Omaha Symphony continues to be resourceful and resilient in this challenging year,” said President & CEO Jennifer Boomgaarden. “Building on our successful socially distanced concerts this fall, we are excited to broaden our offerings in creative ways including outdoor performances, live simulcasts to outdoor venues, and expanded digital education programs to serve teachers and students. We’re proud to bring the healing power of live music to our community and are working closely with local health officials and our colleagues at Omaha Performing Arts to proceed safely with our season in the new year.”
Changes to the season include a continuation of safety protocols and reduced capacity for audiences. Additionally, changes to the programs were made to allow for members of the orchestra to perform while socially distanced. The Omaha Symphony will expand programming to offer additional digital content, as well as outdoor and simulcasted concerts when possible. The orchestra will still be joined by many of the previously announced guest artists including Tony winner and Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell and Grammy-winning saxophonist Branford Marsalis.
“While this isn’t how I envisioned my final year in Omaha, the musicians of the Omaha Symphony and I are grateful for the generous and enduring support from our community,” said Omaha Symphony Music Director Thomas Wilkins. “We look forward to welcoming some incredible guests to perform with us as we continue to do everything we can to make music safely. I’m optimistic that 2021 will bring a renewed sense of togetherness and healing, and the Omaha Symphony will carry on uplifting our community with live music.”
Previously purchased subscriptions will be honored. Subscribers will be able to select from the following live performances, and single tickets will go on sale in early January.
2021 Season Changes:
Jan. 15-16—Wilkins Conducts Dvořák
Thomas Wilkins, conductor
Holland Performing Arts Center
Peter Kiewit Concert Hall
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tillis
DVORAK: Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88
Jan. 30-31—Legends: Paul Simon Songbook
Ernest Richardson, conductor
Holland Performing Arts Center
Peter Kiewit Hall
Featuring: Paul Loren, Emily Drennan, Daniel Berryman, vocals
Feb. 4—Chamber Series: First Movement
Holland Performing Arts Center
Peter Kiewit Hall
Repertoire TBD
Feb. 13-14—Bahl Conducts Mendelssohn & Sibelius
Ankush Kumar Bahl, conductor
Holland Performing Arts Center
Peter Kiewit Hall
MENDELSSOHN: Fingalshöhle
SIBELIUS: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43
Feb. 20-21—Disney in Concert: Around the World
Ernest Richardson, conductor
Holland Performing Arts Center
Peter Kiewit Hall
Selections from:
Frozen
Beauty and the Beast
Pirates of the Caribbean
and more
March 5-6—Stilian Kirov Conducts William Grant Still
Stilian Kirov, conductor
Holland Performing Arts Center
Peter Kiewit Hall
ERIC EWAZEN: Symphony in Brass (Omaha Premiere)
PISTON: Concertino for Piano and Orchestra
STILL: Mother & Child
HAYDN: Symphony No. 104 in D Major, “London”
March 11—Chamber Series: Second Movement
Holland Performing Arts Center
Peter Kiewit Hall
Repertoire TBD
March 26-27—Wilkins & Joshua Roman
Thomas Wilkins, conductor
Holland Performing Arts Center
Peter Kiewit Hall
ARNOLD: Four Scottish Dances
SAINT-SAENS: Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor
RAVEL: Mother Goose Suite
Featuring: Joshua Roman, cello
April 2-3—Tribute to Aretha Franklin
Ernest Richardson, conductor
Holland Performing Arts Center
Peter Kiewit Hall
Featuring: Capathia Jenkins and Ryan Shaw, vocals
April 8—Chamber Series: Third Movement
Holland Performing Arts Center
Peter Kiewit Hall
Repertoire TBD
April 16-17—GO NOW! Music of The Moody Blues
Michael Krajewski, conductor
Holland Performing Arts Center
Peter Kiewit Hall
Featuring: GO NOW!
April 23-24—Collaboration with Opera Omaha
Pablo Rus Broseta, conductor
Holland Performing Arts Center
Peter Kiewit Hall
Featuring: Karen Slack, soprano; Craig Irvin, baritone
May 8-9—Pink Martini
Thomas Wilkins, conductor
Holland Performing Arts Center
Peter Kiewit Hall
Outdoor Simulcast – Location TBD (May 9 only)
Featuring: Pink Martini
May 21-22—Brian Stokes Mitchell Plays with Music
Ernest Richardson, Conductor
Holland Performing Arts Center
Peter Kiewit Hall
Outdoor Simulcast – Location TBD (May 22 only)
Featuring: Brian Stokes Mitchell, vocals
June 4-5—Billy McGuigan with the Omaha Symphony
Ernest Richardson, conductor
Outdoor Location TBD
Featuring: Billy McGuigan, vocals
June 11-12—Wilkins Finale: Branford, Daugherty, Mahler
Thomas Wilkins, conductor
Holland Performing Arts Center
Peter Kiewit Hall
Simulcast – Outdoor Location TBD (June 12 only)
MICHAEL DAUGHERTY: Lift Up Thine Ears for Orchestra (WORLD PREMIERE)
JOHN WILLIAMS: Escapades for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra
MAHLER: Symphony No. 1 in D Major
Featuring: Branford Marsalis, alto saxophone
June 18-19—The Doo Wop Project
Ernest Richardson, conductor
Outdoor Location TBD
Featuring: The Doo Wop Project
More information can be found at omahasymphony.org. Subscribers will be contacted by Ticket Omaha to discuss their options.
For questions, please contact Ticket Omaha at ticketomaha@o-pa.org. Programming for the spring 2021 season is subject to change, and the Omaha Symphony remains committed to providing flexible and accommodating solutions for all patrons. For more information on the Omaha Symphony Promise, go to omahasymphony.org/our-promise.
The Omaha Symphony is a non-profit organization that presents more than 100 live orchestral performances from September through June. In addition to MasterWorks, Symphony Pops, Symphony Rocks, Movies, Symphony Joslyn, and Family series concerts, the Omaha Symphony’s nationally recognized education and community engagement programs touch the lives of more than 40,000 people each year. For tickets or information regarding the Omaha Symphony, call 402-345-0606 or visit omahasymphony.org. Programs, artists, dates, times, prices, and availability are subject to change.