Spokane Symphony to go virtual for New Year’s Eve celebration

In any other year, the Spokane Symphony could be found performing Beethoven’s Ninth to ring in the new year. But, seeing as 2020 is not your average year, the symphony has had to rethink its annual celebration.

This year, the symphony will make available a virtual concert featuring performances from the orchestra and special guests beginning Dec. 31 at 4 p.m. on Vimeo. The concert will then be available to watch through June 30.

The concert, filmed at the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox, features the orchestra’s string section, led by concertmaster Mateusz Wolski, performing classical pieces. The brass section also gets a chance to shine, as its performance of Cab Calloway’s “Minnie the Moocher” from the virtual Symphony Gala 2020 will be included in the concert.

Spokane’s Cami Bradley, who was originally going to perform with the symphony during its Holiday Pops concerts, will perform three songs, two solo and one with the strings. Spokane’s Jess Walter, whose new novel “The Cold Millions” was released in October, will share an inspirational message for 2021.

The concert will close with a pre-taped performance of Auld Lang Syne from members of the Spokane Symphony Chorale.

Music Director James Lowe will host the show from his home in Scotland, while Terrain’s Luke Baumgarten and Ginger Ewing host the concert from the Fox.

Tickets are $20 per household through spokanesymphony.org. The concert is free for health care workers and those who have been affected financially by the pandemic using code RINGIN2021 at checkout. Streaming details will be provided after purchasing your ticket.