Last updated: October 9, 2020
PBO’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Dear Friends and Patrons of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale,
In response to continued uncertainty surrounding the spread of the COVID-19 virus, I’d like to assure you that we are wholeheartedly committed to the safety of the entire PBO community of San Francisco, Palo Alto, Berkeley, and beyond. We continue to carefully review updates from the Center for Disease Control as well as from local and state government officials, and are working closely with trusted colleagues in the field of live performance to precisely and safely determine our course of action amidst this unprecedented crisis. We are aware that this situation is ongoing and constantly changing, and remain steadfast in protecting and communicating with our staff, our artists, and our audience, and adhering to recommended safety protocols if and when we are able to safely hold live performances. We understand that our community may still be contemplating the risks of attending future performances; that is of course entirely understandable. Know that we are exploring a plethora of ways to ensure that anyone involved in creating or attending our concerts is treated with the utmost care, and with the utmost safety in mind. There are creative, innovative ways to allow our performances to take place while abiding by social distancing guidelines, and we are constantly investigating these possibilities with our colleagues—no stone unturned. We will certainly keep you updated as we move forward into this uncharted territory.
If we ultimately decide that a future live performance cannot safely take place without putting our musicians, our production team, or our audience in a situation with any ounce of risk, we will let you know right away. We are committed to making these tough decisions with all aspects of public safety taken with extreme seriousness and with a conservative mind.
Amidst all of this, we at Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale are here for—and because of—you. And we know the world is full of uncertainty right now and we listen. Apprehension is everywhere nowadays—and we also need you now more than ever. On behalf of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale, we thank you for your support—and for your continued trust in us.
Be well,
Courtney Beck
Executive Director