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PGSO celebrating 50th season

The Prince George Symphony Orchestra couldn't go dark in their 50th year. Not even a pandemic could make that happen.
pgso 2019
Citizen file photo Conductor MIchael Hall led the Prince George Symphony Orchestra as they performed Franz Lehar’s Merry Widow Waltz at Prince George Playhouse during Art of the Dance, the final PGSO mainstage concert series performance of the 2018/19 season. This year the season will look different but it's still going ahead during their 50th year.

The Prince George Symphony Orchestra couldn't go dark in their 50th year.

Not even a pandemic could make that happen.

"The way the symphony has existed for the last 50 years is by adapting and facing difficulty and making things work so we thought 'no, we need to adapt and try,'" Teresa Saunders, general manager for the symphony, said. "So we've planned the season in stages so that we can respond to whatever COVID brings next."

The Fall Classic Series, Bringing Back the Joy of Live Music, will begin on Saturday, Sept. 26 and following protocols to safeguard against the coronavirus, shows are going to look a little different.

There are four times made available for each show over two days so there are two matinees and two evening performances from which to choose. Maximum number of people is 50 for each performance to follow pandemic protocols.

The Prestige Treasure Cove Resort is sponsoring the symphony by hosting all the shows in their ballroom. 

"Patron response has been very positive," Saunders said.

The symphony board of directors sent out a survey earlier this summer to subscribers to ask if they would be interested in seeing live music while observing the rules of the pandemic and the number of positive responses are reflected in the current ticket sales.

"This is very exciting for us," Saunders said. "We've gone ahead and it's a grand experiment."

An interesting observation that came from these circumstances is that matinee performances have proven to be very popular and that information could change performance times in the future.

"Many of our patrons are seniors and an afternoon outing suits them far better," Saunders said.

There are four shows in the series with the grand finale seeing Michael Hall conducting while Les Dala, former PGSO conductor, will return to Prince George as the guest pianist for the fourth and final concerts taking place Nov. 14 and 15.

The year ends on a fun note with the Fall Kinder Concert called Winter Wonderland on Dec. 5 for two matinees at 1 and 2:30 p.m. which are suitable for those as young as three years old.

To celebrate the PGSO's 50th anniversary, there is a 50/50 for $50 to raise funds for the non-profit organization. Maximum pay out if all 1,000 tickets are sold is $12,500 followed by two secondary prizes of $6,250 each. To get tickets visit www.pgso.rafflenexus.com

For more information about the season visit www.pgso.com