Covid-19 Response & Updates

Updated as of 4.22.22

Event attendance protocols

We are closely monitoring the health guidelines from the federal and state government, and are optimistic things are going in the right direction! Please find the most updated protocols below.

For upcoming events:

JOYFUL DANCES at the Garde: Proof of a full course of vaccination for COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours or a negative COVID-19 Antigen test within 48 hours required. Masks will be required indoors unless actively eating or drinking. Items you should bring for admission to the concert include a photo ID, photo, or copy of your vaccination card, OR a photo, text, or email of a negative test result, where applicable.

January 22, 2022
“Symphonic Fantasy” Concert Postponed

Our January 22, 2022 concert, “Symphonic Fantasy,” was postponed due to the high rate of COVID-19 transmission. A new date has not yet been determined.

Those holding single tickets for Jan. 22 may exchange them for a later concert this season. Subscribers may exchange their tickets for additional tickets to later concerts or apply them to a 2022-23 subscription. Single ticketholders and subscribers may also donate the value of their unused tickets to the ECSO as a tax-deductible contribution or request a refund. Arrangements may be made by emailing [email protected] or by calling 860-443-2876.

Ticket holders (subscribers or single ticket buyers), have a few options for unused tickets from any of our cancelled concerts in the 19-20 season or for the January 22, 2022 concert, listed below:

Donate the value of your unused ticket(s) back to the ECSO as a generous tax-deductible contribution. We will send you an acknowledgment letter for your taxes that declare the value of your gift.

Turn in your unused ticket(s) and ask that they be used to provide tickets  for frontline medical workers, first responders, and essential workers.

Exchange your ticket(s) for vouchers that can be used for an upcoming concert this season (2021-22) or, for subscribers, next season to bring along friends, family, or other acquaintances to our concerts.

Request a refund for your unused ticket(s). If you are a single ticket holder, your refund will come from your source of purchase (ECSO or Garde Arts Center box office.) Subscribers may be refunded by contacting the ECSO office.

Contact Us For More Information
string trio by river at Florence Griswold Museum

ECSO’s Mission in Action during the Pandemic

The ECSO could not have completed its mission during this difficult time without the generous support of our donors.

Learn more about supporting the ECSO
Violinist in screenshot on a live stream into a classroom

Music in the Homes

During the spring of 2020, after we cancelled events, we transformed our Music in the Schools education program into Music in the Homes.

This program led to the creation of videos for our YouTube page that families could access for in-depth music and instrument exploration from our musicians. Some musicians also joined live-streamed classrooms to perform and answer questions about music and their instruments.

Check out our education videos
Close-up of tuba player performing outdoors

Soundscape Concert Series

We have continued to adjust the way we do things to suit the current situation of the global pandemic.

During the late summer / early fall, we were able to have outside concerts via our new Soundscape concert series.

These were the best way to continue reaching our audiences through free and low-cost performances.

At-home holiday performance

As the weather became less conducive to outside events, we were able to arrange for an at-home performance of Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride. Fifty musicians participated in this project, which came together quickly to debut on Christmas Day on our YouTube channel and social media.

Check out Sleigh Ride