CANCELED: Madison Bach Musicians

press release:

Dear Friends of Madison Bach Musicians,

We hope everyone is staying well and hanging in there during this global health crisis and massive shutdown. We’re all monitoring the news and looking for any indication that things might improve soon. Unfortunately, the chances of improvement coming soon enough for public concerts scheduled even near the end of April are overwhelmingly remote. Madison Bach Musicians is very sorry to have to cancel the Monteverdi Vespers performances on April 25-26. We were all greatly looking forward to it, and of course the piercing irony of having to cancel is that the joy this music brings is what we now as a culture need more than ever.

The global economic impact of the pandemic is certainly catastrophic. And, in the music world we are feeling this directly. As a non-profit organization, cancelling a performance is one of the hardest decisions to make―but the health and well-being of our audience, musicians, and staff absolutely come first.

Madison Bach Musicians has offered the Vespers musicians 40% of their fee―we regret we are not a large enough organization to offer full payment. Several of the players, however, in a show of great generosity, immediately requested that their portion be distributed among the other players. Considering the economic hardship that most freelance musicians will be facing in the coming months, every degree of financial support is deeply appreciated.

MBM is so very grateful to those of you who have purchased tickets to the Vespers. As MBM will feel the economic effects of the Vespers cancellation for a long time, we ask for your support and careful consideration as you decide what to do with your unused Vespers tickets.

If you have purchased tickets, please let us know by April 26, 2020 whether you’d like to:

1. Make your Vespers tickets a tax-deductible donation to MBM. Thank you―we appreciate it!

    A. If you purchased tickets as part of a 2019-20 MBM season subscription or as individual tickets online, please email MBM manager Karen Rebholz at madisonbachmusicians.manager@gmail.com. She will email you your donation tax receipt.

    B. If you purchased tickets at one of our outlet locations (Orange Tree Imports or Willy St. Co-op East & West), please mail MBM your tickets by USPS, provide us with your email address, and we will email you your donation tax receipt.

2. Request a refund. We're happy to provide your money back, and look forward to seeing you again in 2020-21 season.

    A. If you purchased tickets as part of a 2019-20 MBM season subscription or as individual tickets online, please email MBM manager Karen Rebholz at madisonbachmusicians.manager@gmail.com. MBM will mail you your refund check.

     B. If you purchased tickets at one of our outlet locations (Orange Tree Imports or Willy St. Co-op East & West), please mail your tickets to MBM by USPS, provide us with your street address, and MBM will mail you your refund check.

Mailing address: Madison Bach Musicians, 5729 Forsythia Place, Madison WI 53705

Questions, please email Karen Rebholz, MBM manager at madisonbachmusicians.manager@gmail.com

Or call us at (608) 238-6092

Again, Madison Bach Musicians is deeply saddened to have to call off the Vespers concerts. Thank you for your understanding. We looking forward to seeing you in the 2020-21 season!

Very best wishes―and please stay safe,