Stories from Offstage: Gratitude and Resilience in the 2020 Pandemic

Emily Reed

Guy Fishman

Harry Christophers

Margot Rood

Peter Walker

Jonathan Hess and Sonja DuToit Tengblad

Reginald Mobley

Bonnie Wax

Emily Marvosh

Fiona Hughes

Emi Ferguson

Aisslinn Nosky

STORIES FROM OFFSTAGE: Gratitude and Resilience in the 2020 Pandemic

CONCERT HALLS GONE DARK By early March 2020, the global coronavirus pandemic had begun to impact Massachusetts.

The Handel and Haydn Society began rescheduling meetings to take place remotely, canceled face-to-face appointments, and on Thursday, March 12, closed its office doors at 9 Harcourt Street in downtown Boston as businesses across the city and state rapidly shut down and large gatherings were banned.

By Monday, March 16, H+H reopened operations virtually. Each staff member was at the ready from makeshift home offices, and began the work of responding to subscribers, reaching out to donors, and creating contingency plans. Over the next few weeks, H+H’s April concerts, Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, were canceled, soon to be followed by the cancellation of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, the two final concerts of the season, and the annual gala.

As Boston and much of the world shut down, a top concern for our Board and leadership was the well-being of our musicians. It was paramount that H+H try to fulfill its contractual commitments despite cancellations. The challenge was enormous, and the timeframe short.

Our donors took up the mantle with gifts ranging from $20 to $100,000. Nearly 100 donors contributed $485,000 in a span of a few weeks for the new H+H Musicians Relief Fund. As the days went on, thousands of subscribers converted their tickets to donations, adding another $324,000 to the effort. The total raised exceeded $800,000, enabling H+H to pay not only its musicians for the canceled concerts, but also its education program faculty and teaching artists.

Other artistic and production costs were covered as well, including costs of equipment needed to produce virtual content, one of the only ways of continuing to provide employment for our musicians in a newly socially distanced world.

What follows are stories of what occurred during these past several months. We offer it to our H+H family as a small expression of our deep gratitude for your extraordinary gifts. We hope it provides a glimpse of the human impact your support has on our lives. Thank you. We will return, stronger, because of you.

“H+H musicians in normal times bring us so much joy. In these difficult times, they bring us hope with the knowledge that with our community’s support they will remain whole and play for us once again.”

— Heather and Robert Keane, H+H Donors

LONDON CALLING "I send my heartfelt thanks for everything you are doing to ensure that our phenomenal musicians’ welfare, both mentally and financially, is safeguarded. H+H has been brought to a complete standstill by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Everyone understands and accepts the reason for this. We've had to adapt (with some technical feats) to different ways of speaking to our audience that are both welcoming and emotionally touching. Our solo recitals from our artists' front rooms are salon style but without you physically present.

I hope you feel a part of the experience.

I know I speak for musicians in our flagship orchestra and chorus and our fabulous students in saying our hearts and souls have quite simply been ripped from us. Our lives are fulfilled when we are out performing and engaging with our public; that is what we do best. There is a real possibility of an arts world in which part will not survive. It is up to us to ensure that doesn't happen. You are doing amazing things for H+H. We as a Society are doing amazing things. But whatever we do individually over the internet does not and cannot replace what we are really about. That is giving you live music which is full of every emotion. It is vital to our existence.

We will continue to create, and maybe change our way of thinking and listening right now. But we will be back, and with your help, we will be stronger for it.”

— Harry Christophers, Artistic Director

— Brian Roake, H+H donor and subscriber

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“Boston is known for many things — its rich history, its sports teams, its educational institutions, its hospitals and research centers, its cultural gems, its unique personality, and its role in igniting the American Revolution — to name just a few. H+H, 205 years strong, could not have a more fitting place to call home. Thank you all for being such an amazing haven for so many years, and a source of such exquisite sustenance for the mind, heart and soul. We will move forward together, as always.”

KATHERINE WINTERSTEIN

VIOLIN

For artists who make their living as musicians performing orchestras around the country, the pandemic shut down in mid-March was catastrophic.

Katherine Winterstein has been a violinist with H+H for nearly 20 years. She also performs with the BSO, Boston Pops, and several summer chamber music festivals.

“As the shutdown began, I watched 90% of my income dry up in 36 hours as orchestras called to cancel concerts. This was true for many of my colleagues as well. So, when I received the news that H+H would be paying 100% of our fees [for the four canceled concerts], it was a huge relief for me and other H+H musicians.

There was no question that our country had to take drastic measures to stay safe, but the first few weeks were pretty terrifying.

The other impact of the donors’ lovely gesture was that it provided emotional support.

When we first learned that H+H was trying to figure out the overall financial fallout for the organization, we were told the musicians’ compensation would be part of the calculus. We were all physically isolated and separated from our fellow players. It was easy to wonder if we’d been forgotten. Then, you find out that the people who have hired us care about us.

It lifts you up.”

Not knowing how to anticipate the “new normal” is in itself unsettling. Katherine still has a lot of questions: will she be able to return to Brown University to teach in the fall? Will H+H be seeking new formats to perform? And will there be support for that?

In the meantime, Katherine continues to play. “I still find comfort in practice. It has given me a home and a path I can claim even in these times.” She is finding extra time for her son and assisting with his schoolwork, while recognizing that his Boston Public School teachers are doing an amazing job adapting.

She admitted that digital performances don’t sustain her like a live performance. “The reason I do this is for connection. It’s magical alchemy. I believe that music, along with the other arts, is empathy given a form. To me, many of the digitally produced living room solos are heart-breaking, not heart-tending. Also lacking from the online concerts— the audience. And we miss each other.” She sees that what is being produced is creative, and concedes that, for now, digital has to be a “close second” while we figure out returning to the concert hall.

REGINALD MOBLEY COUNTERTENOR Reginald Mobley is booked by major orchestras and conservatories throughout the globe for recitals and solo guest appearances. He was on the road in Washington, D.C. as the shutdown began. The concert venue closed, but the concert moved to a donor’s home with a small audience.

The next morning, Reggie flew home “on an eerie flight.” Within the next week, his upcoming engagements at the Columbus Symphony, two weeks of European concerts, and an eight-week tour with the Sydney Conservatory were all canceled.

“I received partial reimbursements for my fees on much of this and have a small savings account. Luckily, I know how to live very frugally and I’m waiting to hear on several artist relief grants. I’m looking at this period a bit like ‘controlled burnings to clear forests.’

We have an opportunity to get back to our core mission.”

Reggie was hired by H+H as a programming consultant to look at inclusion of broader artists. He is using this unexpected free time to begin planning. Recognizing the need to find ways for arts organizations to lend a voice to the Black Lives Matter movement, part of his mandate is to commission new works from Black composers. He hopes that some of our 2020-21 concerts can still be performed, as he had planned to focus attention on female composers to celebrate the centennial of the 19th Amendment. “There needs to be no separation between these causes and performing Early Music. Music is healing, and speaks to audiences on many levels.”

His thoughts on digital offerings? “Let’s capitalize on the positive impact technology might provide. This now gives more equitable opportunities to new voices in our industry.

People of color and from parts of the country we don’t normally look to. H+H should be at the forefront. We can’t let the pandemic stop our innovations.”

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Thank you, thank you for lifting me up, making me cry helping me hear musical subtleties I'd never known, but most of all, thank you for showing your love of and delight in music!

— Lidia Rosenbaum, H+H Subscriber

UNPRECEDENTED TIMES, DEVOTED AUDIENCE “I’ve spoken with many of our subscribers these past weeks as they donated back their tickets for our canceled concerts, and I have been incredibly moved and often overwhelmed at the kindness, generosity, and great stories that our audience has shared. This is a very human time, and H+H audiences are proving that they think of us as more than just an organization — they care about us as musicians, staff, and human beings. For such an uncertain time, these calls have been a bright point, and have really reaffirmed my faith in humanity. Here are just a few quotes from the many conversations and emails I received.”

— Alex Speir, Associate Director of Audience Services

“Next season is so interesting. We have concerns, but we’re here to support you no matter what.”

— Christian F. “We’re happy to do our part to make sure H+H survives not just this current crisis but also the next 200 years!”

— H+H Patron “I greatly enjoyed the concerts. Beautiful music, beautifully played in plummy old Boston – really quite perfect. Heaven help us all through this next period.”

— Nancy J. “Glad to do it. I admire how the Society is operating during this horrific public health crisis.”

— Hubert J. “Thank you for giving us of your talent, and especially your love. We send our love back to you.”

— H+H Subscriber “You are my favorite American orchestra. This will end eventually. Meanwhile, listen to music and practice, practice, practice.”

— Patricia Y.

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“My pleasure to donate these tickets. H+H has given me such magical memories.”

— Sal A.

200 YEARS OF COMMUNITY “At H+H, our mission is to inspire the intellect, touch the heart, and elevate the soul through music. Our extraordinary musicians are at the very core of that mission – without them, we fail. That’s why your gift to the Musicians Relief Fund was so important. Yes, it helped our very talented and dedicated instrumentalists and singers at a time of great need. But it also, in a very fundamental way, reinforced the foundation of our institution and made it possible for this unique ensemble to continue doing what it does as well or better than anyone else in the country. The upcoming season will be unlike any in our history, but assuredly, we will continue fulfilling our mission, because of your incredible support and faith in all we do at H+H. Please accept my personal thanks, and know how very much you mean to all of us”

— David Snead, President + CEO

IMPACT BY THE NUMBERS FINANCIAL SUMMARY OF MUSCIANS RELIEF FUND $327,667 Board Gifts $121,034 Individual Gifts $324,667 Donated Tickets $30,239 Foundations and Donated Artist Fees

87

MUSICIANS COMPENSATED

6

GUEST ARTISTS COMPENSATED

50+

VIDEOS MADE IN QUARANTINE

1,955

HOUSEHOLDS THAT DONATED TICKETS

15

H+H TEACHERS COMPENSATED

209

STUDENTS IN ONLINE SESSIONS

115

ONLINE CLASSES HELD IN QUARANTINE

96

DONORS TO THE FUND

A SCHOOL YEAR INTERRUPTED While H+H is in full swing producing virtual performances for our audiences, the generosity of our donors allowed us to successfully transition our education programs to online formats. With 95% participation from our student singers, we have given students the opportunity to connect and engage with professionals to dig deeper into vocal production, discover different styles of music, and understand how music impacts the human condition.

Your gifts made it possible to finish out our H+H Youth Chorus spring semester, and have enabled us to hold our first summer program, with a remote 8-week session that will keep the students connected and engaged during summer vacation.

More than anything, your generosity is the reason we are able to provide some semblance of consistency and commitment for these students when they need it most. Just take a look at what this has meant to our faculty members:

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“Music has a profound way of creating a sense of belonging and participation as well as enhancing community connections. Due to the generosity of our donors, I was able to stay connected with my school and students by providing music activities that were included as a part of their new distance learning curriculum. The continuance of the music program also allowed students to further engage with their school’s current theme of community, love, peace, and fighting for injustice.”

— Rachael Chagat, H+H Teaching Artist in the Boston Public Schools

“When the pandemic hit we quickly found ways to keep doing music together. The format was different, the musical objectives too, but we created something of value. From our remote experience we created a remote summer program, much needed at a time where many summer activities, musical and otherwise, got canceled. The remote access expanded the reach and the demand, and from a regular group of 12 kids in the spring, against all odds, the program has grown to 20 kids and a waiting list during the pandemic. Thank you for your support!”

— Nurt Villani, conductor, New Voices

“It is hard to describe the elation that I felt when I realized that not only was our new format working from a structural standpoint, but that the students were so excited to be singing together again. The extra funding will allow us to continue to staff new programs, offer HHYC new online resources as they become available, and help us continue to bring unique, life-changing opportunities to our students.”

— Jennifer Kane, conductor, H+H Treble Chorus, Youth Chorale, and Concert Choir

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GUY FISHMAN PRINCIPAL CELLO H+H tapped Guy Fishman early in our crisis planning.

We knew he could help lead the way to creatively provide some alternative performances from his own living room and encourage other H+H musicians to do likewise. He also put forward the idea of a podcast, which we were able to bring to fruition.

“I’ve always wanted to remove the space between ensemble and audience. When we canceled Bach’s St. Matthew Passion and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, it occurred to me that we could combine archival recordings of our relatively recent performances and interviews with figures who were central to those performances, and give our audience an opportunity to both experience our music making and gain access to the performers that they otherwise would not have. A podcast seemed like the perfect medium through which to achieve this, and I hope we’ve succeeded in this goal, as well as in gaining another tool to broaden our artists’ reach.”

The H+H management purchased a microphone, headset, cables, and recorder, and Guy set about to write, record, and edit a series of podcasts for H+H. He plotted out his first episode, and recorded an introduction from outside Symphony Hall, notably with no traffic noise (thanks to the pandemic), then transitioned to a conversation with Artistic Director Harry Christophers in his home in England.

“We had just canceled our April performances, and Harry and I wanted to recreate the experience for our listeners as best we could. During a busy rehearsal week none of us has the time to sit down and reminisce about our history with this masterwork and our history with music, so it was a treat for me to hear Harry speak so candidly about both.

“I want our audience to feel like what they are — a member of our Society, and that subscribing and attending our concerts, and perhaps deciding to support us further than that, is a natural expression of that membership. All of us musicians miss the audience interaction. It’s more than just a concert hall full of people coming to hear a specific work. Our Boston audiences have been with us for years and they have elevated expectations of us.”

“When H+H paid us, what did it mean? We freelance musicians do not say no to a gig. Many of us had our next six months of work lined up. So, when it all fell apart, it was financially devastating and caused many of us great emotional distress.

But we call ourselves a Society, and it was a relief and a source of pride to see H+H show its grounding in its mission, indeed what the mission of society-at-large should be, that sometimes ‘those who can, do,’ and by inference ‘those who have, take care of those who don’t.’ That’s how a Society should be and that’s how H+H operates. Our musicians will never forget it.”

— Guy Fishman

MUSICIAN MESSAGES OF THANKS “It took about three weeks into the shutdown for me to sing again. I felt the world was ending. It was just as much an emotional hit as financial.

You don’t get into this field for the money, but the uncertainty ahead for us as professional singers is difficult. Singing into your iPhone to make a video is no substitute for live performance.”

This spring, three months into the shutdown, Margot Rood, a soprano in the H+H Chorus, sought out composer Jonathan Woody to write a piece for her that she could “sing with herself”, technology-assisted, of course.

Woody happily complied and composed a piece which he entitled Chaconne after the Baroque dance style used in the music. It fit perfectly into H+H’s “Musicians at Home” series online.

— Margot Rood, soprano

“I feel incredibly fortunate that this has happened at a time when I have gained enough maturity to not jump off a bridge when forced to consider who I am as a human if I am not a violinist. I am looking at this time as an opportunity for self-exploration and development of new skills. Knowing that our patrons appreciate what we musicians do gives great comfort to us. I appreciate our community very much.”

— Aisslinn Nosky, Concertmaster

"I was not contracted with H+H for the final two concerts as I had accepted soloist contracts with other organizations. Both were canceled without pay and offered no reimbursement for my airline expenses. So I know how meaningful it was for H+H to fulfill its commitment to my colleagues in the Chorus and Orchestra, even if I didn’t directly benefit this time. H+H engages with their musicians on a level deeper than most other performing arts organizations. Partly as the result of this effort, the thrill and immediacy of the live concert experience here is uniquely life affirming."

— Emily Marvosh, contralto

A BOARD MEMBER’S PERSPECTIVE In her decades at H+H as subscriber, donor, and board member, Bonnie Wax has gotten to know many of our musicians on a personal level, often hosting them in her home or visiting them during her travels. When the pandemic set in, she set about gathering stories from many of them, and a mere fraction of them are included in this report.

Here is her experience.

"Our H+H musicians are the heart and soul of what we do. H+H begins with, and is, the embodiment of them. Since 1815, concert goers have been attracted to them like bees to nectar, forming a real Society around them, not just in name.

It's hard to imagine our lives without our live performances: more mundane, less sublime perhaps, but that is what we are experiencing during this unholy time.

“When I learned we were trying to find a way to compensate our orchestra and chorus members for canceled concerts, I wanted to help in some way in addition to donating. My hope was that H+H could share their stories with a wider audience who had similar questions to mine. How were they coping and what were they experiencing during the stay-at-home order? Did they find other creative outlets? How were they filling their time? Perhaps knowing more about them would inspire people to give to the H+H Musicians Relief Fund. If we captured their stories during this COVID pandemic, it could also become part of our historical record.

“For many of them, the absence of live music has sucked the air out of their lungs. They are most fulfilled when working within the camaraderie of bandmates and choristers to create something utterly astonishing. They also rely on us, the audience, to inspire them and bring out their best.

Our part is to be present in this exquisite shared experience to complete their creative work.

“Chronicling their stories was both disheartening and inspirational, and I feel honored to record some of it for our collective history."

— Bonnie Wax, H+H Board member

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“Technology has brought us the opportunity to “meet” the musicians in their homes, and experience their music in a more intimate setting. When we are able to return to the concert hall it will be like reuniting with friends.

Thank you for your music and commitment!”

— H+H Patron

THANK YOU H+H is truly grateful to all those donors who made the Musicians Relief Fund possible. Thanks to you, H+H will weather this storm and return to the concert hall as strong as we were before the pandemic.

For a list of donors to the Fund, we encourage you to visit our website at handelandhaydn.org/mrf-donors.

To enjoy the offerings that we have made available during this pandemic, please visit handelandhaydn.org/watch-listen.

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