We write to you today with the unfortunate news that the 2020 Colorado Music Festival has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Having sustained hope throughout these past months that presenting the Festival would be possible, we now accept that we are unable to ensure the health and safety of our beloved musicians, patrons, housing hosts, volunteers and staff – a responsibility we hold paramount.
One of the most powerful aspects of the Festival is the personal connection between our audience and orchestra, a bond developed over many years of remarkable artistry and appreciation. The staff and board of directors are all profoundly saddened by the loss of the Festival’s exceptional 2020 live performance season. However, no group will suffer the impact of this decision more than our Festival musicians and seasonal staff who have already lost wages from their home orchestras and other cancelled performances.
While you will certainly have the choice of a refund or credit on your ticket purchases, we ask you to consider supporting our Musician Fund by donating the value of your 2020 ticket purchase back to the Colorado Music Festival. Through this donation, you help to provide our musicians with the critical income they need to be sustained through an uncertain future.
If you are a 2020 ticket buyer, you will receive an email from the Chautauqua Box Office allowing you to choose how you would like us to process your tickets. Your options are:
- Donate your ticket value to support the CMF Musician Fund
- Donate a portion of your ticket value to support the CMF Musician Fund
- Credit your ticket value towards the 2021 season
- Receive a refund for your ticket value
If you have not received a message, please click here to let us know what you would like to do with your tickets.
Those who donate any portion of their ticket value towards the Musician Fund will be acknowledged in our 2021 concert program and will be invited to exclusive online events this summer featuring Colorado Music Festival musicians and guest artists. If you are unable to donate, please accept our gratitude for your interest in attending the Festival and we look forward to seeing you in 2021.
Planning for the 2021 Festival is underway and we are working to recapture the magical elements of the 2020 program we were so enthusiastic to share. Below you will find a video message from music director Peter Oundjian, which includes information about our upcoming 2020 Virtual Colorado Music Festival.
Listen to a message from Music Director Peter Oundjian >
Even though we may not be able to visit with you in person this summer, we want to continue to be a presence in your life. If you have not already, please join our email list for notice of all Virtual Colorado Music Festival happenings.
As always, we wish you continued health and happiness.
Most sincerely,
Anne Beer
President, Board of Directors
Elizabeth McGuire
Executive Director