Boise Philharmonic announces virtual concert schedule, pop-ups

After six months of planning virtual concerts, complete with rehearsals, Boise Philharmonic has announced its 2020-21 season will begin Oct. 3.

Due to current COVID-19 concerns, the full 68-musician orchestra is not scheduled to perform together soon, so all Boise Philharmonic concerts will be smaller, composed of about four to five musicians, but music director Eric Garcia and executive director Laura Reynolds see key advantages.

Reynolds had just arrived in Boise and had been in her new role of executive director only a few weeks when COVID-19 challenges ramped up in the Treasure Valley. She remembers Garcia encouraging her to “just show up” at the March board of directors meeting, as it was becoming clear concerts planned for April were not going to happen.

April through June was spent brainstorming how to “keep art happening in 2020,” Reynolds said, and once the idea of a “Digital Stage” was agreed upon, small group focus testing began.

“That period was about reimaging what we could do,” Reynolds said. “‘(If) there are no big works, what does that mean?’ One of the things I’ve loved about Boise is we’ve taken that question and shifted it. … Instead of feeling stuck to what had been, it freed our minds to imagine how to keep art happening.”

Garcia finalized a concert schedule — which will feature a few special performances this season — and started holding rehearsals. Four to five musicians gathered, seven feet apart, to begin practicing “a great repertoire” of chamber music pieces — music composed with small groups of musicians in mind.

For Garcia, chamber music offers a different, unique look into some of the most famous composers, and each musician “has the most important part” at some point in each piece.

“I hope it provides a balm,” Garcia said. “I think what (the composers) set for us is an example to overcoming adversity.”

Boise Philharmonic production staff partnered with film director Tracy Sunderland and video producers Drew Allen of Peppershock Media and Andy Lawless to record performances, the first of which is “Meet the Brass.”

“There was overwhelming emotion, seeing colleagues and friends again,” Garcia said. “(They) have shown to be the incredible musicians we know they are. They have adapted so well, made such beautiful performances. We are absolutely thrilled.”

Boise Philharmonic comes to your living room, boat, wherever you are

This season focuses on bringing the community together, Garcia and Reynolds said, by offering not only more intimate connections with Boise Philharmonic musicians (through both smaller performances and pop-up concerts) but a closer connection to the community through performances around “The Basque Block,” “Sounds of Idaho” and “Women’s Suffrage Centennial.”

Additionally by creating a Digital Stage, any level of membership with Boise Philharmonic can gain access to the performances anytime anywhere. Details of the three levels of membership are available at boisephil.org. The Music Advocate monthly subscription also includes a donation to support Boise Philharmonic’s Phil the Hall initiative, which this season will provide digital memberships to nonprofits for free.

This increased accessibility is something Boise Philharmonic hopes to keep in the future, Reynolds said, as a “core part of what we do.”

The entire season is composed of 27 digital performances featuring over 85 works by nearly 70 composers. Details are at boisephil.org. Garcia and Reynolds expressed gratitude for the support they received (and continue to receive) from the Boise Philharmonic board of directors and the community, which has “really shown up for us.”

“This year poses so many challenges; having availability (that) is best for you as an individual is so very important,” Garcia said. “We’re so very excited for our community to see these productions. They’re breathtaking.”

“It’s something I’m really proud of,” Reynolds said. “We are going to be a beacon of light throughout this country during this time.”