As a small performing arts organization, 2020 has been a uniquely challenging year. A far cry from the weekly hustle and bustle of rehearsals and performances, the relative musical emptiness of the past few months has been strange and stark. This unanticipated pause, an extended ‘intermission’, has come with a few silver linings. This space has allowed us to take these summer months to reflect deeply on what it is that we do in this world and what kind of world we want to see on the other side.
enSRQ is fortunate to be a small and nimble organization. Many of the difficulties faced by larger groups don’t apply to us, and we’re able to use that to our advantage during the pandemic environment. As we go forward into our 20/21 season- our fifth anniversary!- we’re reintroducing live performance cautiously but intentionally. We’re calling this season ‘newStart’, as we work, still in a COVID world, toward a more prosperous, humane, and musically vibrant future. The time to reflect on how we can be most effective has led to a refocused concentration on female, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC composers whose works have been historically under-represented. By increasing the diversity of the composers represented on our stage, we hope to reinforce the reality that great music can come from anyone. Championing and advocating great sound art is the most fundamental way for us to engender change within the music world and beyond. With so much uncertainty and darkness in our world, it’s incredibly important for us to provide a space to share and reflect on current events through music. The lens through which we hear new music is different for everyone, but a shared space (even a virtual one) to process as a community is vital.
Our first concert this year returns to our humble beginnings: a program of new duo works for Samantha and George, live streamed from Church of the Redeemer in Downtown Sarasota on October 19th, 2020. A performance season devoid of our usual in-person post concert hangs is a little sad to imagine, but we must find creative ways forward! Interacting with our audience members remains integral to the culture of enSRQ, so virtual post concert receptions will take place after streamed programs via Zoom and Instagram, and additional recorded content and other pre-concert material will supplement our concert offerings this season.
We often refer to our audience as musical adventurers, who trust us to take them on a journey of self expression, reflection, discovery and wonder. This season will be no different in that regard. We are excited to welcome everyone to this new season of intrepid sound exploration, delivered in unexpected ways.
