Conductor David Amado, center, leads the Delaware Symphony Orchestra in its February performance. Photo by Martin Martinez.
Even though The Grand Opera House in Wilmington has dropped its face mask and vaccine rules, the Delaware Symphony Orchestra will continue to require them for its March 11 concert there.
J.C. Barker, executive director of the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, said while the organization welcomed The Grand’s change, the symphony needs time to convene all the internal stakeholders before changing policy.
“We need to meet with our COVID task force, talk to musicians in the orchestra, talk to other board members before we go along with the lifting as well,” he said. “I just need to make sure that everybody on our team is aware that we’re doing a change.
“Because we’ve got a concert next week, lifting the mass mandate for us this week would not have been enough time for everybody to be fully aware and discuss.”
Barker expects the symphony to change its rules.
“But it’s going to be up to all parties here,” he said. “It’s not just going to be me making that decision.”
Every decision about performing during the pandemic has been a joint collaboration between the staff, the board and the musicians.
The foundation of their policy is total vaccination, he said.
In addition to the vaccinations, string players are masked on stage and performers are spread out a little more than they would have been in 2019.
“And the Grand has done great work with their filtration system,” he said.
The press release noted that the King Street back entrance will not be available March 11 and all patrons will be asked to enter through the main entrance on Market Street. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
The Grand staff will ask for proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test within the last 72 hours, as well as a photo ID.
The normal pre-concert talks with Conductor David Amado are taking place over Zoom this season. The pre-concert talk for the March 11 show will be Monday, March 7, at 6:30 p.m. Anyone not already signed up should email [email protected] to get the link.
The symphony also will share recordings of Amado’s conversation later in the week.
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