Dear Symphony Lover,
We hope you are staying safe. In light of the recent measure to reduce the spread of COVID-19, we have had to cancel our March concerts and as of yesterday (March 17) we must cancel our April concerts, as the Port Theatre will remain closed. As you might know, the survival of our Symphony depends upon tickets sales, personal donations and corporate sponsorship, together with government investment. Your support is needed at this time – Thank you.
We are grateful to be able to do our part for social distancing to try and slow the spread of the COVID-19 – however these measures are devastating to our musicians and to our financial position. Our musicians are contract workers and many of them have already seen a huge part of their income vanish with cancellations over the last week. Our goal is to honour the contracts we have with our core musicians as they need our support now more than ever.
This situation also poses extreme financial risk to the VIS. With the loss of six performances in March and April, we are working hard to find ways to move forward and keep our doors open in the upcoming next season 2020/21. While we have often been financially challenged in the past, we are now in uncharted territory.
The last few days has been very difficult, but we have been overwhelmed by calls and emails from so many Symphony supporters who want to help. It is so wonderful to know you are thinking of your Symphony at this time.
With ticket sales stopped - the most meaningful way to help the orchestra at this time is with a donation. We normally receive $40,000 in donations at this time of year. If these donations drop off as well as a loss of ticket sales - it will spell financial disaster for the VIS.
Yes, these are extraordinary times that call for extraordinary action. Please consider making a donation to your VIS and helping us to ensure that we keep the music live. Please call our VIS office to donate 250-754-0177 or send an e-transfer to:
info@vancouverislandsymphony.com
.
You can also visit our website to make a donation:
www.vancouverislandsymphony.com
If you had tickets for our March 14, 19 or April 24 and 25 concerts, we hope you will consider donating these back to the Symphony for a tax-receipt. Please call the Port Theatre to donate your tickets: 250-754-8550.
Stay safe and take care.
Kindest regards,
VANCOUVER ISLAND SYMPHONY
David Witty, President Margot Holmes, CEO Pierre Simard, Artistic Director
