The Ashland Symphony Orchestra has come back as the Ashland Symphony Orchestra: Reimagined! after COVID-19 wiped out all arts performances last year. Many new changes have been made within the orchestra, such as recording the performances to stream online and changes in conducting. They have several upcoming concerts, despite the changes, and there are many opportunities to interact with them now virtually as well as in person. Given the opportunities, tickets are hardly being sold.
Because of the Coronavirus, the orchestra has struggled to sell tickets to shows. “It’s just taking people a while to get comfortable again,” said Martha Buckner, executive director of the Ashland Symphony Orchestra, “We had a one-way-out door. Now that the door is open to letting people in again, it’s going to take a while”. According to Buckner, the orchestra has sold fewer tickets this year because of the fear of Coronavirus. Although some patrons are fearful, the Ashland Symphony Orchestra has instilled several protocols, such as social distancing and a mask mandate.

Two additions, in response to Coronavirus, was the addition of live streaming performances and adding a 3 p.m. matinee show. The matinee was added to allow social distancing to still continue without breaking the orchestra up as well as meeting the patron’s ticket demand. The other addition is a virtual option. “The concerts are recorded then released a week later and play for thirty days on stream,” said Buckner. Tickets for the virtual concerts, as well as the in person concerts, are available on the Ashland Symphony Orchestra website at www.ashlandsymponyorchestra.org.

An upcoming event for the Ashland Symphony Orchestra is called “Timeless”, a show that exhibits pieces written as early as 1770 to 1972, according to the Ashland Symphony Orchestra website. It will take place on Oct. 30 at the 3 p.m. matinee performance and at the 7:30 evening performance. Conductor Yaniv Segal will conduct and premier his reorchestration of several classical pieces. It will take place both in person at Ashland High School, and online via streaming. Tickets are $5 for students (including AU students), $24 for adults, and $21 for senior citizens 65 years and older.

Another upcoming event is called “Holiday Family Pops”, a show that exhibits Christmas classics and newer Christmas music. It will include a holiday sing along, music from Frozen, and many familiar Christmas tunes. Tickets are on sale now at the website for streaming and in person. This event will also take place at Ashland High School on Nov. 28 at 3 and 7:30 p.m.