About the Season

In our Classics Concerts, Sarasota Orchestra will present programs recognizing diverse voices in classical music. The celebration of Beethoven’s 250th culminates in his birthday month with a concert featuring works performed by the Sarasota String Quartet. At our Pops Concerts in Holley Hall, the energizing experience transcends the times with the spirit and flair of popular music.

Planned by Artistic Advisor Jeffrey Kahane, all concerts will feature ensembles of no more than 15 musicians to permit social distancing on the Holley Hall stage. Kahane explained that he took the opportunity to make a virtue of the necessity for small ensembles, resulting in a season that brings a wide range of music spanning four centuries and an immensely rich array of musical styles and languages to the Holley Hall stage. Concert programs will be musician-led, without conductor, with the exception of two concerts featuring Kahane conducting from the piano.

Starting in November, in-person audiences will be limited to 20% capacity of Holley Hall. Concerts will be streamed for at-home viewing to maintain delivery of the Orchestra’s mission to the broadest constituency possible. More information about streaming Sarasota Orchestra concerts is coming soon. 

Safety Considerations

Each performance will be limited to an hour without intermission, with a socially distanced audience, required masks, contact-free ticket scanning, and temperatures taken upon arrival for attendance. A Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization air handling system was recently installed in Holley Hall, and the facility will undergo a deep cleaning between performances.