DAVENPORT, IOWA (jULY 8, 2020)  In line with recommendations from the Scott County Health Department (SCHD), the Quad City Symphony Orchestra (QCSO) Association plans to reschedule the Quad City Bank & Trust Riverfront Pops event to Saturday, September 12, 2020, 7PM. This year’s concert will be presented in Davenport’s LeClaire Park and celebrates the music of Fleetwood Mac. Guests will enjoy an evening outside along the banks of the Mississippi River accompanied by the band’s greatest hits, including “Big Love,” “Don’t Stop,” “Go Your Own Way,” “Rhiannon,” and more. The event will close with the traditional rousing renditions of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever set to a brilliant fireworks display.

HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURESThe QCSO is committed to the health and safety of all event attendees, musicians, staff, volunteers, and the entire community. Amidst the global pandemic, the SCHD has confirmed that the following safety changes planned for the concert are consistent with guidance and best practices for outdoor events: 

  • Group Ticketing: Ticket buyers will purchase a reserved plot of space in LeClaire Park as they would a seat at a concert venue. These plots are sized for groups of 10, 6, or 2 people, and are available in three price zones. Attendees will not be admitted to the park until everyone in their group has arrived. There is no re-entry if guests choose to leave the park. A limited number of distanced seat pairs will be available in the permanent seats near the band shell.
  • Social Distancing: Use of the plot map will significantly limit the total audience size. Groups should arrive together and not mingle with other groups attending. The ground will be marked to keep groups socially-distanced for entry. Guests will exit as a group, and departure will be controlled to disperse group movement across the park and maintain social distancing.
  • Facial Masks or Coverings: Facial masks or coverings will be required for entry, exit, and to move about the common areas. Facial masks or coverings are strongly recommended but not required when attendees are in their seating plots. Disposable masks will be available for those who arrive without one.
  • Reduced Contact: Physical tickets will not be sold on site, and must be purchased in advance. Program booklets will only be available in a digital format, but will be available online if attendees wish to print their own copies. Guests may also request a print out of the program be mailed to them for a $4 fee up to 14 days before the event.
  • Food & Beverage: Guests are encouraged to bring their own food and beverages. There will be no on-site vendors. Those who choose to enjoy alcoholic beverages must drink responsibly.
  • Increased Availability of Handwashing Stations & Hand Sanitizer: Additional porta-potty locations including handwashing stations and hand sanitizer available. A map of the park with additional details will be released later in July, 2020.
  • Attendees should be asymptomatic: Anyone who is experiencing symptoms or who has been in contact with someone experiencing symptoms such as a fever, cough, or shortness of breath within 14 days of the event is expected to stay home.
  • Musician, Staff, and Volunteer Safety: The orchestra will be smaller with distanced seating, and facial masks will be required in certain areas for production staff and volunteers. The Youth Orchestra opener has also been canceled this year.

Given the recent surge in cases, the SCHD and QCSO are working closely to carefully monitor the local situation. These plans will be subject to revision based on conditions as the date approaches. "I am so proud of the work that our team is doing in collaboration with so many to make this event happen and make it as safe as we possible,” says QCSO Executive Director Brian Baxter. “In this extremely challenging environment, we hope that this year’s Quad City Bank and Trust Riverfront Pops will serve as an opportunity for our community to demonstrate how we can safely enjoy live music in the era of COVID-19.” TICKETSTickets will go on sale early August 2020 and will be available online at QCSO.org, by phone at 563.322.7276, and in person at the QCSO Box Office located at 327 Brady Street in Davenport, IA. The QCSO Box Office is open for walk-in service only on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9AM-4:30PM. Ticket plot-prices are determined by park location and area size, and range from $42 to $282. Bandshell seats will be available in pairs and sold for $35 per seat. Current 2020 QCBT Riverfront Pops ticket-holders will be contacted by the QCSO Box Office directly to exchange their tickets for a seating plot or permanent bandshell seat pair. In light of these uncertain times, the QCSO has adjusted their ticket policies for the upcoming season to address postponements and cancelations and to accommodate ticket holders who feel they are not able to safely attend concerts.  Read more about these changes at qcso.org/our-commitment-to-you/.

About the Quad City Symphony Orchestra

Founded in 1915, The Quad City Symphony Orchestra (QCSO) is among the 20 longest-established, continuously-operating orchestral associations in the United States. The QCSO presents a full season each year supplemented by pops and special events. The orchestra has demonstrated steady artistic growth measured by the depth of the repertoire performed. Iowa and Illinois subscribers to QCSO performances are residents of more than 70 cities and towns. The orchestra consists of an average of 80 players. The QCSO provides programs and community service to a market of more than 450,000 residents of eastern Iowa and western Illinois, staging performances in both Iowa and Illinois.In 1958, the QCSO founded The Quad City Youth Symphony Orchestra and since has added four additional training ensembles: The Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, Youth String Ensemble, Prelude Strings, and Youth Choir. Music-education outreach-programming includes dozens of education programs delivered to over 10,000 area students annually and more than 250,000 over the years to students in Iowa and Illinois. The League of American Orchestras has recognized the QCSO Volunteers for Symphony for its role in implementing these innovative educational programs uplifting youth through music and the arts.The QCSO receives contributions from more than 1000 families, businesses, and foundations.

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