The New York Philharmonic is coming up with clever ways to bring music to the city, starting with a big red truck!
As the Lincoln Center and other performance venues have shut their doors due to the pandemic, the New York Philharmonic has not stopped bringing music to the ears of New Yorkers. The organization has traveled across the five boroughs in what is called the “New York Philharmonic Bandwagon,” performing live outdoor shows from their very own pickup truck!
For eight weeks starting in August, the NY Philharmonic Bandwagon traveled on the weekends to give nine performances across various locations in the New York City area featuring some of the organization’s most beloved performers. Each show also included new commissions and guest performers.
Unfortunately they just concluded their fall run this weekend, but will be returning once the weather warms up. In the meantime, you can catch up on their YouTube and Instagram and relive all the New York Philhar-magic!
“As New York’s orchestra, the Philharmonic wants to meet and connect with you,” said the organization on their website. Each concert is a surprise with a disclosed location in order to keep crowds at safe numbers.
According to the New York Philharmonic website, the “pull-up performances” are even bringing “world premieres written specifically for the truck.” Performances have already showcased artists like Yulia Ziskel, Katherine Greene, Pedro Giraudo, Quan Ge, Ethan Bensdorf, and many more!
Traveling on the truck are speakers, music stands, and even traffic cones to ensure the audience is socially distanced. “NY Phil Bandwagon offers New Yorkers a front-row seat to music in every borough,” as they have reinvented how people can enjoy live music during these times. And though their normal venue is no longer accessible, these concerts are “just the beginning of the dialogue we want to have with the city,” said their website.
See also: Lincoln Center Is Now Hosting Magical Music Performances On Its Iconic Sloping Lawn
featured image source: YouTube Video Still / New York Philharmonic