The performing arts industry has been thoroughly upended by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a Brookings Institution report issued last summer estimating the damage in the fine and performing arts at almost 1.4 million jobs and $42.5 billion in sales lost. What does the future look like? Will audiences come back? How will the experience of the arts have changed? Facing these and other pressures, how will performing artists and institutions adapt? With vaccines now becoming available and an end to pandemic restrictions on the horizon, the Peabody Institute will convene arts industry leaders for a free, daylong symposium on Wednesday, February 10, to explore the path forward for artists and organizations and the long-term, post-COVID landscape for the performing arts. Find more details and register here to attend “The Next Normal: Arts Innovation and Resilience in a Post-COVID World.”

In my December communication I talked about our establishing the Peabody Conservatory Post-COVID Think Tank in order to look to the future, to challenge our own assumptions about what preparation of artists will require, and to respond accordingly. The work of the Think Tank goes on. Directly related, we will host a national symposium on February 10 that will bring together the leadership of prominent national arts organizations, renowned artists, and representatives of the funding community to ask key questions about the future of the performing arts in a post-COVID world, the long-term challenges around recovery, and what have we learned in the pandemic that changes how we may do our work in the years to come. I think it’s important and appropriate that Peabody take a leadership role in our industry by bringing together an outstanding group of professionals to help ask the questions and, most importantly, propose solutions.

I also cannot let this moment pass without commenting on what we have all witnessed in our country last week, and how we move forward. I know I speak for many when I say that I am horrified by what transpired in our Capitol Building, and equally horrified by the people that facilitated these seditious and indeed blatantly racist events. At the same time, we should not lose sight of the fact that the democracy that we hold dear has held. We will inaugurate a new President on January 20, a direct result of a fair and free election that took place despite an ongoing pandemic, with more people voting than ever before. This does not erase the shame or stain of what has occurred, and our country must grapple with that as we go forward. This battle for the soul of America is not over, but the recent election and the response in the aftermath of last week’s attack on the Capitol give us reason for optimism, and reason to believe we shall come through this too.

Fred Bronstein, Dean

Peabody Distinguished Visiting Artist and renowned violinist Midori joins the Houston Symphony Orchestra to perform Ludwig van Beethoven's Violin Concerto, under the baton of Miguel Harth-Bedoya. The program also includes works by Kevin Day and Gabriela Lena Frank. Attendees may choose a socially distanced performance at Jones Hall, or watch the Saturday evening livestream from home.

Faculty artist Velvet Brown, tuba, has been invited to represent the Peabody Institute in the Hope & Harmony Ensemble, formed by Classical Movements in honor of the inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Director of Graduate Conducting Marin Alsop conducts the ensemble in a special virtual performance of Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man” and Joan Tower’s “Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman, No. 1.” The performance premieres on Facebook.

Sandbox Percussion – Victor Caccese (BM ’11, Percussion), Terry Sweeney (BM ’13, Percussion), Ian Rosenbaum (BM ’08, Percussion), and Jonathan Allen – join String Theory for a live virtual concert broadcast from their studio in Brooklyn, NY.

The Beijing Guitar Duo – Meng Su (PC ’09, GPD ’11, MM ’16, AD ’18, Guitar; GPD ’15, Chamber Ensemble) and Yameng Wang (MM ’08, GPD ’11) – will present an online concert through the Baltimore Classical Guitar Society, with a virtual meet-and-greet to follow. The program includes works by Claude Debussy, Gabriel Fauré, Enrique Granados, Joaquín Rodrigo, and a BCGS Commission by Elizabeth Nonemaker. Ticketholders will have access to the performance for 72 hours following the livestream.

Cello Professor Amit Peled performs J.S. Bach’s Cello Suites Numbers 5 and 6 for An die Musik Live! Online. Ticketholders will have access to the performance through February 6. 

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Peabody Notes highlights select off-campus performances featuring Peabody performers. For other events, please visit our Peabody Conservatory Facebook page.

The new Peabody Pro curriculum is designed for arts educators, administrators, and performers interested in expanding their professional knowledge. From Mixing in a DAW to Engaging Neurodivergent Learners, Peabody Pro covers a variety of professional development topics and is offered in a convenient online format. Learn more and enroll today for spring semester Peabody Pro classes.