SAN ANGELO, Texas — The San Angelo Symphony announced Thursday it has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 July 3 Pops Concert and Fireworks Extravaganza.
A release from the symphony said the safety of the audience, guest artists, musicians, staff and volunteers remains its top priority. The timeline for national, state and local governments to allow for large gatherings at public venues, such as the Bill Aylor Sr. Memorial RiverStage, remains very uncertain and the ability to practice social distancing is not practical for this type of large scale community event.
Canceling the performance is the best way for the organization to do its part to protect the community, the release stated.
“We are saddened to have to cancel this year’s performance and fireworks show,” executive director Courtney Mahaffey said in the release. “This is the first time that the San Angelo Symphony has had to cancel this longtime patriotic concert and although, we hope that the situation will improve by the time of the event, we do not want to risk bringing large groups of people together while health risks may still exist. This event has been our gift to the city and its citizens for so many years, showing our appreciation for their support during our 70-year existence.”
“The organization and our musicians look forward to performing this exciting community concert again in 2021. Until then, we wish everyone good health and hope to see you in the concert hall later in the year,” Maestro Hector Guzman said in the release.
A reduced symphony staff will continue to conduct business in a safe environment, including working remotely with office hours from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. The office is not open to the public, but patrons with questions can contact staff during office hours.
