People soon can take in music by the Regina Symphony Orchestra from the comfort of their homes.
The orchestra is launching RSO at Home this weekend.
It’s online content and those who are able to do are being asked to make a donation to the orchestra.
The pandemic has been tough on the performing arts and music director Gordon Gerrard told the Greg Morgan Morning Show that the symphony wants to keep its musicians around.
“If we end up scaling back our operations because we’re suffering and if we lose some of these musicians, then our whole community is poorer, not just in a financial sense but just the vibrancy of our (community),” Gerrard said.
Fortunately, the RSO has been able to retain its musicians so far.
“We’re very proud of the fact that we’ve managed to keep all of our full-time folks on the payroll and we’re doing our best to keep it that way,” Gerrard said.
“But I have to say that our subscribers are wonderfully generous and loyal and they’re all rooting for us and I really appreciate their support.”
Gerrard said the RSO is hoping to launch its season in the fall as it normally does. But for this season, “it’s anyone’s guess,” he said.
“If we can continue to do some stuff online and people continue to support that, of course we’ll keep doing that. But that comes with some costs too,” he said.
The RSO has been in existence for more than 110 years and Gerrard is confident it’s not going anywhere.
“No one will stand by it if we can’t keep doing something, so I’m optimistic we’ll figure something out,” he said.
Details for the program launch this weekend will be on the orchestra’s website.