I am an optimist; live classical music performance will once again come back, and audiences will fill concert halls. But, not for some time. How much time? None of us really know.
But, NOW is a good time to innovate, experiment, and dream a little. It’s time for orchestras to think out of the box. The pandemic has clearly forced orchestras (big and small) to rethink their business models and audience development strategies, or risk losing their relevancy in today’s tumultuous times.
I will admit, like most of you, I was stunned after the “shelter in place” orders hit Los Angeles. It took me several weeks to wrap my head around the enormity of the situation and its impact on orchestras.
So, what lies ahead for the Vicente Chamber Orchestra?
Since our Inaugural Concert in 2016, the Vicente Chamber Orchestra has grown to become a formidable musical force in Los Angeles’ Westside. Not just another orchestra, the Vicente Chamber Orchestra is a community; a community of musicians and audience that come together and share in their love of classical music. Our dream is to give everyone in Los Angeles a chance to experience classical music in a more accessible and open environment.
My plans for the Vicente Chamber Orchestra:
- Technology and Music. The pandemic has forced all organizations large and small to use various conferencing platforms like Zoom to connect and engage with its supporters. The Vicente Chamber Orchestra will leverage modern technology to promote musicians and its orchestra to an expanded audience, beyond its current base of Los Angeles. On Thursday, July 2, 2020, the Vicente Chamber Orchestra will launch its very first digital recital featuring world-renowned pianist, Alessandro Deljavan. Livestreamed to audiences all over the world, the digital recital marks a big turning point for our orchestra. My plan is to continue the use of livestream broadcasting in the near and long term. The ability to showcase our orchestra, reach new audiences beyond Los Angeles, is now an exciting new opportunity. Today, 87% of the US population uses the internet, over 32 million people in California alone. With advanced digital tools we can share the beauty of classical music to more listeners than ever before. As attending concerts in person becomes more difficult, organizations like the Vicente Chamber Orchestra have to become musical entrepreneurs.
- The Vicente Chamber Orchestra will expand its ticket program to allow everyone, regardless of economic status to enjoy classical music events.
- The Vicente Chamber Orchestra will ultimately expand its Artist in Residence program and provide opportunities for more artists throughout California. Increase the number of musicians in our Artist in Residence program from ten to twenty per concert season.
- The Vicente Chamber Orchestra will produce a chamber music series in new venues to reach people who may not have the means or ability to come to our regular concerts and livestream these events to reach new audiences worldwide.
- As part of this vision, the Vicente Chamber Orchestra is in the process of formalizing its 501(c) 3 nonprofit status and will set ambitious financial goals to help finance the orchestra for several years to come. As part of our business model, the Vicente Chamber Orchestra will continue to maintain its low operating expenses to ensure that all donations flow directly to our artists and the gracious venues who allow us to perform in their wonderful halls.
As for the concerts we had planned for 2020 and 2021, we will need to “wait and see.” I am very hopeful that the Vicente Chamber Orchestra will be able to perform sometime mid-2021! Till then, we have lots of work to do and a digital recital series to launch!
