In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fort Collins Symphony (FCS) board of directors has been exploring ways to support FCS musicians monetarily, emotionally, and artistically during this stressful time of uncertainty. For those who don’t know, musicians make their living through freelance activities which include contracts to play with orchestras such as the Fort Collins Symphony. As a result of cancelling concerts, musicians are not being paid. In addition, because of social distancing, they do not have the opportunity at this time to share their artistry with the community.
The FCS has come up with a couple of ideas that, unlike the virus, are by no means novel but may be positively infectious and hopefully will go viral to support FCS musicians and the wonderful music they make. The Tiny Concerts Keep Us Playing “KUP” project features self-recorded videos of musicians playing a favorite piece of music from the safety of their home/studio. These tiny concerts are posted on the FCS website at http://www.fcsymphony.org/tiny-concerts/ and on the FCS Facebook page.
The FCS website also includes a “KUP” link to the Symphony’s “Colorado Gives” website where a dedicated fundraiser has been established. The purpose of the fund is to support the Symphony’s 52 tenured and provisional musicians who are experiencing financial repercussions due to pandemic-related cancellations. Donations to the KUP will be divided equally among FCS musicians, and disbursements will be made on a monthly basis as long as the pandemic prevents FCS musicians and audiences from gathering together. Gifts to the fund are tax deductible in accordance with current I.R.S. regulations. To donate directly to the fund: https://www.coloradogives.org/KUP
