WJO COVID-19 safety protocols
(all concerts in October and November have been cancelled)
We want to provide the safest live music experience possible to our patrons, musicians, volunteers and staff. To do so we ask that anyone planing on attending a live event take the screening test here and stay home if they feel at all un-well. We are also providing a recorded version of the concert to all subscribers so they can watch in the safety of their own homes during the week following the concert. This enables our jazz-loving patrons to continue to enjoy this music in the safety and comfort of their own home. We thank you for following our safety protocols to keep our fellow Manitobans safe. It is our wish to continue to bring you the best in live jazz music in a responsible and safe manner.
Screening questions:
Please self screen at this site (https://sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/screening-tool/) before attending any WJO event. Please stay home if you have any symptoms of COVID and send us an email. We will gladly send you the link to a recorded version of the concert or refund your money.
Please self screen at this site (https://sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/screening-tool/) before attending any WJO event. Please stay home if you have any symptoms of COVID and send us an email. We will gladly send you the link to a recorded version of the concert or refund your money.
Sanitization and Safety Precautions:
We ask patrons to follow the health safety protocols as follows:
- We ask that patrons do not arrive more than 20 minutes before a concert.
- We require that all patrons wear a mask the whole time they are in the venue. (Multi-use WJO masks are for pre-sale on our website here. Disposable masks are provided complimentary if you have forgotten yours.)
- We require that you sanitize your hands upon arrival.
- We require that you print and sign that you have self-screened by reading the list of questions provided. (All pens have been sanitized.)
- We ask that you remain a six-foot distance from the person in front of you.
- Patrons will be seated by ushers in order of their arrival with a two or three seat distance between "family bubbles or cohorts" - every second or third row will be used, dependent on venue. (Sorry no seating preferences. Handicapped patrons who cannot use stairs are asked to self-identify to ushers.) We ask that you sit on your coats to facilitate a speedy entrance and exit.
- The concert program will be available on our website a week before and a week after each performance. It can be viewed on your computer or downloaded to your phone or mobile device. Pieces will be introduced during the concert.
- We ask that you show your pleasure with a performance or solo by clapping - please refrain from verbal expressions of enjoyment.
- Patrons will exit, row by row, as shown by ushers.
- We ask that patrons exit quickly and not interact with others in the auditorium or lobby areas.
We ask patrons to follow the health safety protocols as follows:
- We ask that patrons do not arrive more than 20 minutes before a concert.
- We require that all patrons wear a mask the whole time they are in the venue. (Multi-use WJO masks are for pre-sale on our website here. Disposable masks are provided complimentary if you have forgotten yours.)
- We require that you sanitize your hands upon arrival.
- We require that you print and sign that you have self-screened by reading the list of questions provided. (All pens have been sanitized.)
- We ask that you remain a six-foot distance from the person in front of you.
- Patrons will be seated by ushers in order of their arrival with a two or three seat distance between "family bubbles or cohorts" - every second or third row will be used, dependent on venue. (Sorry no seating preferences. Handicapped patrons who cannot use stairs are asked to self-identify to ushers.) We ask that you sit on your coats to facilitate a speedy entrance and exit.
- The concert program will be available on our website a week before and a week after each performance. It can be viewed on your computer or downloaded to your phone or mobile device. Pieces will be introduced during the concert.
- We ask that you show your pleasure with a performance or solo by clapping - please refrain from verbal expressions of enjoyment.
- Patrons will exit, row by row, as shown by ushers.
- We ask that patrons exit quickly and not interact with others in the auditorium or lobby areas.
Venue Safety Precautions:
Our venues all follow health safety protocols as follows:
- seats and high touch points will be sanitized before and between every concert if not more often.
- stanchions will be used to guide lineups and keep people a safe distance from each other.
- barriers will be used in any interaction with patrons that cannot be distanced (scanning tickets, etc.)
- hand sanitizer is available at the entrance and exit
Our venues all follow health safety protocols as follows:
- seats and high touch points will be sanitized before and between every concert if not more often.
- stanchions will be used to guide lineups and keep people a safe distance from each other.
- barriers will be used in any interaction with patrons that cannot be distanced (scanning tickets, etc.)
- hand sanitizer is available at the entrance and exit
COVID health links:
Manitoba Health:
Manitoba Health:
COVID Mental health links:
Manitoba Mental Health Resources: https://sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/providers/mental-health-resources/
Self care from the Canadian Health Care Association: https://cmha.ca/news/covid-19-and-mental-health
Taking Care of your Mental Well-Being: https://www.rehab4addiction.co.uk/coronavirus/mental-health-coronavirus
Manitoba Mental Health Resources: https://sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/providers/mental-health-resources/
Self care from the Canadian Health Care Association: https://cmha.ca/news/covid-19-and-mental-health
Taking Care of your Mental Well-Being: https://www.rehab4addiction.co.uk/coronavirus/mental-health-coronavirus
--------------------------------------------
July 2020 Update
I hope you are all healthy and stay that way. We miss you all and can’t wait to see you again.
Thank you so much to those of you who have bought your subscriptions already. Our last subscriber draw will be on this Friday, July 31. The winner will receive a complimentary subscription identical to the one they have purchased.
We will adapt concerts to the new reality. The audience size will be a fraction of the usual audience size, and there will be a two meter distance between family groups. Be assured that we will meet or exceed the recommendations for cleaning and sanitizing. Chairs and touch points will be sanitized before and between concerts. We ask that you keep a six foot or more distance from the other patrons on entrance and exit. We welcome everyone in the audience to show us your creativity by using your most interesting mask. We will also have masks available. We will waive our no-refund policy and ask that patrons stay home if at all ill.
We are thinking of eliminating the intermission as an additional safety measure. Please let us know your thoughts.
We have planned a wonderful 2020-2021 season. If some concerts have to be cancelled, we will let you know immediately and will refund that portion of your subscription. Our box office is available by phone at 204-632-5299 or by email at tickets@winnipegjazzorchestra.com. A printable copy of our season can be downloaded here, and you can download an early-bird subscription form here. There will quite likely be a few small changes as we start our season in October, so please refer to our website for the most up to date information.
The health of our ticket holders, musicians, volunteers and staff are very important to us. We hope to see you all again safe and sound when we start the 2020-2021 season. Thank you for staying with us to share the joy of live big band music.
Joan Gillis, Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
--------------------------------------------
May 19, 2020
I want to start with a thank you to the people who keep us safe, healthy and fed. Thank you to all who have been very cautious with protocols and kept sickness so low here. And thank you to our generous patrons who are donating to the WJO in large numbers. We hope you all are doing well and look forward to performing big band favourites on stage once again.
Normally this month we would be holding our annual St. James Infirmary fundraiser which unfortunately had to be cancelled. Thanks to our friends at Nostalgia Radio CJNU 93.7 FM, we are delighted to announce that you can enjoy a virtual version of this event on May 24 from 7 to 10 pm. CJNU hosts Grant Patterson and Lorne Kearns have been kind enough to prepare a playlist of songs (chosen by our Artistic Director Richard Gillis) that would have been performed at our fundraiser. Grant and Lorne have mixed them with short cuts of musicians and friends of the WJO. A highlight of the CJNU broadcast will be an interview with Richard about our planned season (see concerts below).
Given that St. James Infirmary is an important event in our fundraising calendar, we are offering various ways for your to show your support for the WJO.
On the night of the May 24 radio broadcast (or up to 26 hours later) you can donate and we will draw for a pair of tickets for a concert (of your choice) in the 2020-21 season. Also, all subscriptions received between now and midnight on May 25, will be entered in a draw for a pair of tickets to the next St. James Infirmary fundraiser (date to be determined in May 2021).
If you buy a 2020-21 season subscription before June 30, you will also be entered in a draw for a half food-share in Jonathan’s Farm. Jonathan brings his fresh produce into the city every week until the growing season ends.
Subscriptions received before July 31, will also be put into a draw for a free second subscription equal to the original purchase.
Given the uncertainty attached to efforts to deal with COVID-19, we must stress that any concert may be cancelled, moved online, the date or venue changed, or adapted in some other manner to adjust to safe venue practises. We will do our best to find a way to get you this music, but if concerts cannot safely, or fiscally take place, we will pro-rate your subscription to account for any lost concerts. Our box office is available by phone at 204-632-5299 or by email at tickets@winnipegjazzorchestra.com.
We hope to see you all again safe and sound when we start the 2020-2021 season. Thank you for staying with us to share the joy of live big band music.
Joan Gillis
General Manager
Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
--------------------------------------------
May 3, 2020
The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra regrets to announce both our remaining concerts are cancelled. In March, when we realized the danger of COVID-19, we were hoping that the pandemic would pass quicker than it has. Even though Manitoba has not been hit as hard as other provinces, we are still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. We treasure our audience and want to keep you all safe. It would not be responsible, or legal, to have over 500 people in our audience in June (or 200 people in August).
We plan to perform these concerts at a future date. Many of our patrons have donated their tickets, but also let us know how much they are looking forward to hearing this music. The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra has already paid six musicians to arrange over ten pieces for the Aretha Franklin concert, which we are tentatively thinking will be held in June 2021. We have commissioned five new pieces for the Carpathian Blues concert, which we are tentatively thinking about holding in September 2020 or as soon as we safely can.
We request that you consider donating your ticket to the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra for a charitable tax receipt. You can instead receive a gift certificate for our 2020-2021 season for the amount of the ticket or receive a refund. Please contact the WJO Box Office at 204-632-5299 or by email at tickets@winnipegjazzorchestra.com to arrange your tax receipt or gift certificate. I cannot stress enough how much we appreciate the confidence and support our patrons have shown.
Our 2020-2021 season is now on the website, and we are looking forward to returning with the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra to bring you the best big band music. Thank you for your patience and your generosity. Please continue to take care of yourself and the others around you.
Joan Gillis
General Manager
Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
--------------------------------------------
April 13, 2020
Dear St. James Infirmary fundraiser ticket holders.
Thank you for your generosity in supporting the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra and purchasing a ticket for the annual St. James Infirmary fundraiser. We regret to tell you that the WJO is postponing St. James Infirmary until 2021. Our wish is that you all stay safe and healthy until we can enjoy live music again.
We request that you consider donating your tickets for a charitable tax receipt. You can instead receive a gift certificate for our 2020-2021 season for the amount of the tickets or receive a refund.
The revenue from St. James Infirmary will be used for a recording session, tentatively scheduled for the week of August 18. Please contact the WJO Box Office at 204-632-5299 or by email at tickets@winnipegjazzorchestra.com to arrange your tax receipt or gift certificate. We are also exploring ways we could bring the music of St. James Infirmary to you.
Our 2020-2021 season will be on the website soon; from swing to Sinatra, to Be Bop to Latin. We would love to see you during the season or next May at St. James Infirmary 2021. Thank you for your patience and your generous support.
Stay safe and healthy,
Joan Gillis
General Manager
Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
--------------------------------------------
April 3, 2020
I am sure it is not news to you that the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra has to postpone the concert that was to be held on April 26, 2020. An important part of the decision to reschedule the concert rather than cancel is to make sure our musicians still receive income. We are rescheduling this concert to August 19, 2020, on the open-air roof garden of the Winnipeg Art Gallery. Picture us all enjoying jazz on the rooftop as the sun goes down on a warm summer evening.
As you may already know, this concert brings you a new work by John Stetch and other compositions reflecting his Ukrainian background, including Carpathian Blues. We also have the pleasure of bringing you compositions by Rodrigo Muñoz (Chilean), Michelle Gregoire (Metis), Jeff Presslaff (pre-historic theme), Richard Gillis (Icelandic), and Andrew Balfour (Cree) which will reflect their cultural roots. We are always pleasantly surprised by the musical gifts these composers bring us and hope you will join us on this adventure.
All tickets for April 26, 2020, will automatically be moved to August 19, 2020. If you prefer, you can donate your tickets and receive a charitable tax receipt or exchange the ticket amount to a concert in our 2020-2021 season. Please contact the WJO Box Office at 204-632-5299 or by email at tickets@winnipegjazzorchestra.com for exchanges or tax receipts. We will also take names on a waiting list for a possible overflow date of August 18, 2020, if you prefer a Tuesday night with less people. We are looking forward to, once again, bringing you the joy of the best big band music with the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra.
Thank you for your patience and support during this unprecedented time. We will continue to monitor the physical distancing protocols and how they may affect our ability to safely bring you music. Your health and the safety of our musicians, volunteers and staff are of prime importance. Please take care of yourself and the others around you. We are proud of the way our community looks after each other - in snowstorms, floods, and now, during the coronavirus pandemic.
Our best wishes for your health and safety,
Joan Gillis
General Manager
Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
--------------------------------------------
March 13, 2020
The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra has been monitoring changes in the local COVID-19 situation. As the local situation changed rapidly throughout the day on Thursday it became apparent that it would be responsible for us to find an alternate date to present Respect: The Music of Aretha Franklin. We are saddened that we cannot present this concert on March 15 as originally scheduled, but our first priority is the health and safety of our patrons, musicians, volunteers, and staff. We have arranged to move the date of this performance to June 28 and 29 at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. We hope that if we all act responsibly that the COVID-19 outbreak will be over by then. If it is not, we will address the situation then.
If you have tickets to the concert on March 15, they will automatically be attributed to the new date on June 28. If that date does not suit you, we would be pleased to exchange your tickets for any concert in our 2019-2020 season, or if you prefer, we will send you a receipt for tax purposes. Please contact the WJO Box Office at 204-632-5299 or by email at tickets@winnipegjazzorchestra.com by June 26. Please be patient as we try to serve all our patrons.
If you would like to purchase tickets to the new dates, we would also be pleased to help you at the contact information above.
For more information on COVID-19 and how to take precautions, please visit Manitoba Health: https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/coronavirus/ and the Public Health Agency of Canada https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html.
Thank you,
The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
July 2020 Update
I hope you are all healthy and stay that way. We miss you all and can’t wait to see you again.
Thank you so much to those of you who have bought your subscriptions already. Our last subscriber draw will be on this Friday, July 31. The winner will receive a complimentary subscription identical to the one they have purchased.
We will adapt concerts to the new reality. The audience size will be a fraction of the usual audience size, and there will be a two meter distance between family groups. Be assured that we will meet or exceed the recommendations for cleaning and sanitizing. Chairs and touch points will be sanitized before and between concerts. We ask that you keep a six foot or more distance from the other patrons on entrance and exit. We welcome everyone in the audience to show us your creativity by using your most interesting mask. We will also have masks available. We will waive our no-refund policy and ask that patrons stay home if at all ill.
We are thinking of eliminating the intermission as an additional safety measure. Please let us know your thoughts.
We have planned a wonderful 2020-2021 season. If some concerts have to be cancelled, we will let you know immediately and will refund that portion of your subscription. Our box office is available by phone at 204-632-5299 or by email at tickets@winnipegjazzorchestra.com. A printable copy of our season can be downloaded here, and you can download an early-bird subscription form here. There will quite likely be a few small changes as we start our season in October, so please refer to our website for the most up to date information.
The health of our ticket holders, musicians, volunteers and staff are very important to us. We hope to see you all again safe and sound when we start the 2020-2021 season. Thank you for staying with us to share the joy of live big band music.
Joan Gillis, Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
--------------------------------------------
May 19, 2020
I want to start with a thank you to the people who keep us safe, healthy and fed. Thank you to all who have been very cautious with protocols and kept sickness so low here. And thank you to our generous patrons who are donating to the WJO in large numbers. We hope you all are doing well and look forward to performing big band favourites on stage once again.
Normally this month we would be holding our annual St. James Infirmary fundraiser which unfortunately had to be cancelled. Thanks to our friends at Nostalgia Radio CJNU 93.7 FM, we are delighted to announce that you can enjoy a virtual version of this event on May 24 from 7 to 10 pm. CJNU hosts Grant Patterson and Lorne Kearns have been kind enough to prepare a playlist of songs (chosen by our Artistic Director Richard Gillis) that would have been performed at our fundraiser. Grant and Lorne have mixed them with short cuts of musicians and friends of the WJO. A highlight of the CJNU broadcast will be an interview with Richard about our planned season (see concerts below).
Given that St. James Infirmary is an important event in our fundraising calendar, we are offering various ways for your to show your support for the WJO.
On the night of the May 24 radio broadcast (or up to 26 hours later) you can donate and we will draw for a pair of tickets for a concert (of your choice) in the 2020-21 season. Also, all subscriptions received between now and midnight on May 25, will be entered in a draw for a pair of tickets to the next St. James Infirmary fundraiser (date to be determined in May 2021).
If you buy a 2020-21 season subscription before June 30, you will also be entered in a draw for a half food-share in Jonathan’s Farm. Jonathan brings his fresh produce into the city every week until the growing season ends.
Subscriptions received before July 31, will also be put into a draw for a free second subscription equal to the original purchase.
Given the uncertainty attached to efforts to deal with COVID-19, we must stress that any concert may be cancelled, moved online, the date or venue changed, or adapted in some other manner to adjust to safe venue practises. We will do our best to find a way to get you this music, but if concerts cannot safely, or fiscally take place, we will pro-rate your subscription to account for any lost concerts. Our box office is available by phone at 204-632-5299 or by email at tickets@winnipegjazzorchestra.com.
We hope to see you all again safe and sound when we start the 2020-2021 season. Thank you for staying with us to share the joy of live big band music.
Joan Gillis
General Manager
Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
--------------------------------------------
May 3, 2020
The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra regrets to announce both our remaining concerts are cancelled. In March, when we realized the danger of COVID-19, we were hoping that the pandemic would pass quicker than it has. Even though Manitoba has not been hit as hard as other provinces, we are still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. We treasure our audience and want to keep you all safe. It would not be responsible, or legal, to have over 500 people in our audience in June (or 200 people in August).
We plan to perform these concerts at a future date. Many of our patrons have donated their tickets, but also let us know how much they are looking forward to hearing this music. The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra has already paid six musicians to arrange over ten pieces for the Aretha Franklin concert, which we are tentatively thinking will be held in June 2021. We have commissioned five new pieces for the Carpathian Blues concert, which we are tentatively thinking about holding in September 2020 or as soon as we safely can.
We request that you consider donating your ticket to the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra for a charitable tax receipt. You can instead receive a gift certificate for our 2020-2021 season for the amount of the ticket or receive a refund. Please contact the WJO Box Office at 204-632-5299 or by email at tickets@winnipegjazzorchestra.com to arrange your tax receipt or gift certificate. I cannot stress enough how much we appreciate the confidence and support our patrons have shown.
Our 2020-2021 season is now on the website, and we are looking forward to returning with the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra to bring you the best big band music. Thank you for your patience and your generosity. Please continue to take care of yourself and the others around you.
Joan Gillis
General Manager
Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
--------------------------------------------
April 13, 2020
Dear St. James Infirmary fundraiser ticket holders.
Thank you for your generosity in supporting the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra and purchasing a ticket for the annual St. James Infirmary fundraiser. We regret to tell you that the WJO is postponing St. James Infirmary until 2021. Our wish is that you all stay safe and healthy until we can enjoy live music again.
We request that you consider donating your tickets for a charitable tax receipt. You can instead receive a gift certificate for our 2020-2021 season for the amount of the tickets or receive a refund.
The revenue from St. James Infirmary will be used for a recording session, tentatively scheduled for the week of August 18. Please contact the WJO Box Office at 204-632-5299 or by email at tickets@winnipegjazzorchestra.com to arrange your tax receipt or gift certificate. We are also exploring ways we could bring the music of St. James Infirmary to you.
Our 2020-2021 season will be on the website soon; from swing to Sinatra, to Be Bop to Latin. We would love to see you during the season or next May at St. James Infirmary 2021. Thank you for your patience and your generous support.
Stay safe and healthy,
Joan Gillis
General Manager
Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
--------------------------------------------
April 3, 2020
I am sure it is not news to you that the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra has to postpone the concert that was to be held on April 26, 2020. An important part of the decision to reschedule the concert rather than cancel is to make sure our musicians still receive income. We are rescheduling this concert to August 19, 2020, on the open-air roof garden of the Winnipeg Art Gallery. Picture us all enjoying jazz on the rooftop as the sun goes down on a warm summer evening.
As you may already know, this concert brings you a new work by John Stetch and other compositions reflecting his Ukrainian background, including Carpathian Blues. We also have the pleasure of bringing you compositions by Rodrigo Muñoz (Chilean), Michelle Gregoire (Metis), Jeff Presslaff (pre-historic theme), Richard Gillis (Icelandic), and Andrew Balfour (Cree) which will reflect their cultural roots. We are always pleasantly surprised by the musical gifts these composers bring us and hope you will join us on this adventure.
All tickets for April 26, 2020, will automatically be moved to August 19, 2020. If you prefer, you can donate your tickets and receive a charitable tax receipt or exchange the ticket amount to a concert in our 2020-2021 season. Please contact the WJO Box Office at 204-632-5299 or by email at tickets@winnipegjazzorchestra.com for exchanges or tax receipts. We will also take names on a waiting list for a possible overflow date of August 18, 2020, if you prefer a Tuesday night with less people. We are looking forward to, once again, bringing you the joy of the best big band music with the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra.
Thank you for your patience and support during this unprecedented time. We will continue to monitor the physical distancing protocols and how they may affect our ability to safely bring you music. Your health and the safety of our musicians, volunteers and staff are of prime importance. Please take care of yourself and the others around you. We are proud of the way our community looks after each other - in snowstorms, floods, and now, during the coronavirus pandemic.
Our best wishes for your health and safety,
Joan Gillis
General Manager
Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
--------------------------------------------
March 13, 2020
The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra has been monitoring changes in the local COVID-19 situation. As the local situation changed rapidly throughout the day on Thursday it became apparent that it would be responsible for us to find an alternate date to present Respect: The Music of Aretha Franklin. We are saddened that we cannot present this concert on March 15 as originally scheduled, but our first priority is the health and safety of our patrons, musicians, volunteers, and staff. We have arranged to move the date of this performance to June 28 and 29 at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. We hope that if we all act responsibly that the COVID-19 outbreak will be over by then. If it is not, we will address the situation then.
If you have tickets to the concert on March 15, they will automatically be attributed to the new date on June 28. If that date does not suit you, we would be pleased to exchange your tickets for any concert in our 2019-2020 season, or if you prefer, we will send you a receipt for tax purposes. Please contact the WJO Box Office at 204-632-5299 or by email at tickets@winnipegjazzorchestra.com by June 26. Please be patient as we try to serve all our patrons.
If you would like to purchase tickets to the new dates, we would also be pleased to help you at the contact information above.
For more information on COVID-19 and how to take precautions, please visit Manitoba Health: https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/coronavirus/ and the Public Health Agency of Canada https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html.
Thank you,
The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
