Update: Wednesday, April 1
It’s remarkable how quickly the world can change. In the short time since Crossing the Channel (only a few weeks ago!) we have seen an extraordinary transformation of our city.
The COVID-19 pandemic, as you well know, has significantly impacted our daily lives. Beyond our day-to-day routines, this crisis has forced arts organizations and the sector as a whole into a challenging position. Fortunately, The Toronto Consort will be able to weather this storm, however not without considerable loss.
As you might expect, the Board of Directors, Artistic Associates, and administrative staff have made the collective decision to cancel the 2019-2020 Season’s finale production, Fellowship of Creatures (May 8, 9 & 10). It is not a decision we make lightly, though it is in the best interest of the health and safety of our community, patrons, staff and artists.
Ticket holders for Fellowship of Creatures are therefore invited to fill out this online form to let us know how they would like to proceed. Three options are available:
- turnback the ticket(s) for a tax-receipted charitable donation,
- Swap your ticket(s) to a 20-21 Season concert of your choice, or
- a full refund
By donating your ticket value, you will be helping support our artistic and administrative teams.
The Artistic Associates, while no longer engaged for the season finale, have been contracted and will be compensated to shift all artistic activity from in-person to online during the COVID-19 crisis. The Toronto Consort is developing educational and performance-based content to be shared with you over the coming months. Join us on Facebook, Instagram and our website, TorontoConsort.org, for all-new artistic projects and digital content.
Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre (where our office is located) is closed for the foreseeable future. Our administrative team has been working from home since March 16th and are keeping regular business hours until the Centre reopens. Consequently, the box office will be closed during this time.
Patrons who wish to contact us should leave a message on the administrative line (416-966-1045), or email us at info [at] torontoconsort.org. Canada Post deliveries have been forwarded to a temporary address and are collected daily.
Your continued support is appreciated.
Between March and June during a typical season, The Toronto Consort receives the majority of its annual donations, subscription sales for the next season, season finale revenue (ticket, concession, and merchandise sales), corporate sponsorships, gala/silent auction and charitable gaming revenues. This is not a typical season and the financial shortfall could be significant.
Some may not feel able to donate or subscribe at such an uncertain time and we understand. For those who are able, please consider making your annual donation and renewing your subscription for the 2020-2021 Season, A Wellspring of Early Music. Visit TorontoConsort.org to proceed, or leave a message at our office and we will reach out. For an organization our size, every little bit goes a long way.
We appreciate that staying at home has many implications for our audiences. Should you or anyone you know be experiencing challenges in accessing groceries or other supports at this time, let us know and we can put you in touch with resources in your community.
Thank you for your ongoing support during these difficult times. Join us online as we continue to explore the repertoire we love – the music of the Middle Ages, Renaissance and early Baroque – and we will get through this together.
Sincerely,
The Board of Directors
Artistic Associates
Administrative Staff
For more information on social services available in Toronto, visit:
https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-social-support/
Update March 13, 2020:
The Toronto Consort’s season finale (Fellowship of Creatures, May 8-10) is currently proceeding as planned, pending further COVID-19 developments. We are closely monitoring the public health developments as they are announced.
As a precaution, Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre is closed to the public from Monday, March 16 until Monday, April 6th. As such, our box office will be available by phone (416-964-6337) and online (TorontoConsort.org) only during this period.
Please revisit this page for further updates.
Updated March 12, 2020:
The Toronto Consort is closely monitoring the recent outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19). We will follow any directives and guidelines issued by government authorities, including Health Canada and Toronto Public Health.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) currently assesses the public health risk associated with COVID-19 as low for Canada. This risk is continually reassessed as new information becomes available. The Toronto Consort will update this page accordingly, and will check with Public Health twice per business day (at 9pm and 1pm) for their current assessment.
The Toronto Consort takes the health and wellbeing of our patrons, performers, volunteers, and staff very seriously. The following practices have been instituted as precautionary and preventative measures:
• Hand sanitizer is available in all office and public spaces, and requests that all who enter these spaces use it
• Increased sanitization has been implemented in The Toronto Consort offices, Box Office, and performance venues
• Patrons, performers, volunteers, and staff who experience flu-like symptoms are encouraged to stay home
We are continuing with all concerts and events until further notice, and we will continue to follow the guidance of Health Canada and Toronto Public Health.
The Toronto Consort asks you to take the following steps to aid efforts to contain this outbreak:
• If you have symptoms of a respiratory illness of any kind (e.g. fever, coughing, shortness of breath, etc.) please refrain from attending The Toronto Consort events until all symptoms have subsided. A fever should be gone for at least 24-hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. It is also recommended that anyone experiencing these symptoms refrain from external contact for a minimum of 14 days
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, them immediately throw the tissue in the garbage and wash your hands
• If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve or arm
If you are travelling, please familiarize yourself with information about areas where infection rates are high and follow the Government of Canada’s protocols surrounding travel to those areas and return to Canada.
We request that individuals who have travelled to, or have come in close contact with anyone who has travelled to, highly-impacted countries, refrain from attending The Toronto Consort concerts and events until a period of 14 days has passed. Please review the information provided by the Government of Canada by clicking here.
The Toronto Consort staff are available to answer any questions you may have. Please email info@The Toronto Consort.org or call 416-966-1045 to reach us.
More information:
From Health Canada: by clicking here or clicking here.
From the Ontario Ministry of Health: by clicking here.
From Infection Prevention and Control: by clicking here.
From Toronto Public Health: by clicking here.
