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Updates from AFC on COVID-19 Response

UPDATE March 19, 2020

Dear A Far Cry Family,

For the health of our community, A Far Cry has ceased rehearsing and performing during the COVID-19 crisis. In addition, due to ongoing closures at our performance venues, we have to cancel our Memory Tour, March 28 concert at St. John's Church, "Memory," and May 29 concert at Jordan Hall, "Mexico, Lindo y Querido." Please know that we will keep you closely informed about any future events this Spring (including the STL GLD Project at the Gardner Museum and our annual Spring Soirée). For now, we are taking things one step at a time.

Regarding Ticket Policies:
To be totally honest - we've never had to develop a Pandemic Ticket Policy before! We say this not to make light of the situation, but to let you know that we are working hard to adapt as new information dictates and provide the best options possible for your purchase. With our season finale canceled as of yesterday afternoon, we are unfortunately no longer able to offer exchanges per our usual ticket policy. We are grateful to those of you who have inquired about donating your tickets for a tax-deductible donation, which goes a long way in supporting our organization. 


With that, we understand that these are extenuating circumstances, so please be in touch with us at boxoffice@afarcry.org or 617-553-4887 to discuss ticketing options. Given the high volume of incoming communications, it may take us longer than usual to respond, and we thank you for your patience!

In this time of uncertainty, social distancing, and illness, we need a sense of place and community now more than ever. Our audience, we musicians, and folks we've never even met are hungry for connection, beauty, and healing, so we will be with you, every step of the way, doing our darnedest to make sure that every one of us has music in our lives and no one has to feel alone. 

To this end, we Criers have gotten together and pledged to keep the music alive, whether it's a live-streamed solo concert from one of our living rooms, an individually curated playlist, a behind-the-scenes Q&A, or a brand new youtube video. We welcome your requests as our collaborators in this venture.

Here are a few treats to get things started:

1. The livestream of our recent concert, "A Stradivari Serenade," which features two pieces from our canceled "Memory" program. Catch the Elgar at minute 4:55 and the memorized Tchaikovsky at 1:18:25. Did you know that we played these pieces on $90 Million worth of instruments this past February?!

2. Our first "A Far Cry Sessions" on Facebook featuring Criers Jesse Irons and Sarah Darling. Even our Executive Director Grace Kennerly got in the game! 

Follow us on social media for regular content, keep an eye out here for e-news featuring your weekly digest of A Far Cry offerings, and visit our website for the full cumulative listing of your "Daily Dose" of AFC! Next up on Facebook Live, we have appearances by the Lewis Family (tune in TONIGHT!), and Michael Unterman (tune in on Saturday)

Thank you for continuing to make music with us and we can't wait to share our music with you in person during better times ahead.

With Love and Music,
The Criers


UPDATE March 11, 2020

Dear A Far Cry Family,

After carefully monitoring the developments of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and in light of New England Conservatory's recent COVID-19 Health Alert, it has become clear that we must cancel Friday's production of "Sunset" entirely.

Our one and only rehearsal of this music reinforced our conviction that this beautiful program and repertoire must be performed. We are determined to feature "Sunset" on a future season, and hope to make it a reality. This morning, we recorded a portion of "Il Tramonto" featuring mezzo-soprano Krista River. We share it with you now as a token of our appreciation and love during this challenging and uncertain time. And, keep an eye out on social media for some musical treats from our Criers over the coming weeks. In this time of "social distancing," we feel that music is more important than ever!

Under our usual ticket policies, we are offering all subscribers and single ticket buyers the option to exchange their "Sunset" tickets to another concert of the same or lesser value this season. We are grateful to those of you who have inquired about donating your tickets for a tax-deductible donation, which is also an option.

On that note, we understand that these are extenuating circumstances so please do not hesitate to be in touch with us at (617) 553-4887 or email boxoffice@afarcry.org and we'll be happy to talk through ticketing options with you.

Thank you all for your patience and understanding. Shared experiences are fundamental to the performing arts, and we will continue finding ways to share our music and gratitude in the midst of this evolving situation.

With Love and Music,
A Far Cry


UPDATE March 9, 2020

Dear A Far Cry Family,

We have recently learned from New England Conservatory that effective today, NEC is temporarily suspending access to Jordan Hall concerts for all visitors from outside their campus community due to a COVID-19 health alert. During this time, only NEC undergraduates and graduate students, faculty, and staff may attend scheduled concerts. 

What this means:  
As of now, we are proceeding with our upcoming concert, "Sunset," on Friday, March 13 at NEC's Jordan Hall. However, unless you are a member of the NEC campus community as outlined above, you will not be permitted to attend this concert in person.


We remain in close contact with NEC and are hopeful that a livestream of the concert will still be possible. We will continue to keep you closely updated with plans. Should Friday’s performance be cancelled entirely, we will notify all ticket holders by email at least 2 hours prior to the performance. Updates will also be posted to our website, social media, and outgoing voicemail. 

Additional Information and Ticket Policies

General Health and Safety Tips: For the health and wellbeing of everyone, please follow the guidelines as outlined by the CDC (visit the CDC website for more information on health safety practices) to determine risk, prevent exposure, and enhance hygiene. If you are feeling unwell, exhibiting symptoms, or have been in contact with someone exhibiting symptoms, we encourage you to take care and please stay home.

Livestream: A Far Cry is proud to offer a livestream of its Jordan Hall productions, and we are hoping this will remain a possibility for "Sunset." Be on the lookout for further updates as soon as we have more information.

Ticket Policies: Subscribers and single ticket buyers may exchange tickets to another concert of the same value within a given season. All exchanges must be made 48 hours in advance of the concert for which you are exchanging tickets. You may also donate your tickets for a tax deductible donation. Please call us at (617) 553-4887 or email boxoffice@afarcry.org to discuss exchange and donation options.

Support AFC: As a cancellation or stall in ticket sales will have a dire financial impact on A Far Cry and all arts organizations, we encourage you to consider donating your tickets if you cannot attend. If you have not yet purchased a ticket and we are able to livestream the concert, we hope you will consider tuning in and purchasing a ticket anyway (or making a donation) to support AFC.

We appreciate your understanding and support, and wish you and the entire performing arts community good health and well being.

Sincerely,
A Far Cry