The Traverse Symphony Orchestra is cancelling its 2020-2021 season and refunding all season subscriptions after losing venue options for its upcoming performances.

TSO announced Friday that while it had presented its 2020-21 three weeks ago "confident that we would be able to resume concerts in the fall," the organization learned last week that Interlochen Center for the Arts "will be quarantining their campus throughout the next school year. Consequently, they are not allowing any outside groups to rent or use Corson Auditorium." TSO said it "immediately checked to see if the City Opera House would be able to accommodate these additional concerts. They are also unable to commit to any concerts for the upcoming season, including those previously scheduled. As a result of these setbacks, we are in the unfortunate situation where we are forced to cancel subscriptions for the 2020-2021 season."

TSO leadership called the decision "a stunning blow to all of us, and not a step that anyone wanted to take." The executive team added that "the administration of the TSO, Maestro Kevin Rhodes, the Players’ Committee, and the Board of the TSO are working together to seek opportunities not only to keep the orchestra alive, but to strengthen the legacy of this great institution. We are all united in our desire to work together to find our way through this crisis. We are developing some exciting new approaches to present small ensemble concerts throughout the year, paired with large outdoor concerts next summer, and additional online outreach to create a new live music season for you, our patrons."

According to TSO, the organization's "plan is to develop and secure new venues with the goal of being able to share a strategy for moving forward with all of you, our friends and patrons, by mid-to-late July." TSO will be refunding all 2020-21 season subscriptions in the coming week.