President’s Message – November 2021

Dear Friends, 

When we were conducting our 2021 subscription renewal campaign, the Interior Health Region allowed indoor gatherings at only 50% of a venue’s capacity. Thanks to our very loyal CMK subscribers, we sold out this 50% of the seats in the Mary Irwin Theatre in September. 

We had been led to expect that this capacity limit would be lifted in good time for the Gryphon Trio performance at 7:30 pm on Friday, November 26, 2021. But this order remains in place — and we’ve found ourselves in a bit of a fix.  Because of the ongoing 50% capacity limit, we could not process the new subscription orders that we’ve had on hold or sell single tickets to concertgoers who are eager to hear the Gryphon Trio again after an absence of three seasons. 

Additional Gryphon Trio performance at 2 pm on Friday, November 26 — Switch Tickets at No Charge and “Bring a Friend for Free”

Yesterday, however, the Gryphon Trio very graciously offered to play an additional 2 pm matinee concert on Friday, November 26.  We want to make sure that there is a good 50% house for this matinee performance. If you are a renewed subscriber for 2021/22, please consider whether you’d prefer to attend the matinee performance; you can switch your tickets at no charge. And if you like, you’ll also be able to bring a friend —for free! — to the 2 pm matinee concert only.

Adding this matinee performance means that we’ll be able to allow more concertgoers to enjoy a performance by the Gryphon Trio while maintaining very comfortable personal distances in the Mary Irwin Theatre — just as we have been doing successfully in the Kelowna Community Theatre.   The “Bring a Friend for Free” offer also gives you an excellent opportunity to introduce a friend or family member to our top-quality series.

If you want switch your tickets from the evening to the matinee performance — and, in addition,  if you also want to take advantage of the “Bring a Friend” offer — please send an email to [email protected] by Monday, November 22, 2021 at 5 pm. Please reference Gryphon Trio Matinee in the subject line and indicate if you simply want to switch your own tickets or if you also want to have an additional ticket. You can pick up your new tickets at Will Call before the performance.

New Subscriptions for the 2021/22 Season Available at a 20% Discount

If you are not yet a subscriber to the 2021/22 season of four concerts, you can still purchase the series at the 20% new subscriber discount. Please call 250.717.5304 or drop by the RCA Box Office through to the concert date next week. Their regular opening hours are 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday. 

Please note:  The opening performance of the CMK’s 2021/22 season withMarina Thibeault (viola) andCory Hamm (piano) has been rescheduled for Friday, February 4, 2022 due to a non-Covid-related event. We look forward to hearing their extremely interesting program.

Refunds for 2021/22 Subscribers

Because of Covid-related problems, the original subscription of five performances has been reduced to four performances. The CMK and RCA have issued refunds to subscribers for one of the five concerts you purchased for this season. Refunds are made by whatever mode of payment each subscriber used originally. We know there have been delays in some cases due to staffing changes at the RCA. If you have not received your refund (along with your tickets for the remaining four concerts this season), please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or 778.363.9698.

Patron Service Desk: November 26, 2021

We will have a special Patron Services Desk at the RCA from 1 pm and 6:30 pm on November 26 where you can go with any last-minute ticketing enquiries, questions regarding your BC Vaccine Card, or Covid-19 protocols for these events. The RCA requires that all attendees present a BC Vaccine card and ID for entrance to the theatre. The BC Vaccine Card program provides a simple and secure way to verify that ticketholders are fully vaccinated. You must also wear a mask inside the venue.

Please take a moment when you arrive to say hello to Board members and volunteers who will be identified by lapel pins. I’m sure we are all looking forward to meeting again and to enjoying the best in classical music together. The sacrifice of this pleasure since March 2020 has left a void for all of us. 

We will see you at the RCA on November 26!

P. Diane Bond
President, Chamber Music Kelowna Society
2021-2022

PS: If you need assistance in obtaining your BC Vaccine Card, you can call the BCCDC at 1-833-838-2323. You will need your BC Health number, date of birth and the date you received your first or second shot.

PPS: If you hold tickets to the November 26 concert at 7:30 pm but find you are unable to attend, you can release your seats for resale by emailing to [email protected]  at least 48 hours in advance. CMK issues tax receipts for ticket donations.