The Rock Hill Symphony conductor just left in protest of COVID rules for audiences
The conductor and music director at the Rock Hill Symphony Orchestra is out, in protest over COVID-19 safety precautions.
David Rudge, appointed to those inaugural roles in 2018, issued a statement Thursday afternoon expressing concerns that there won’t be masks or safety precautions mandated for audience members for the rest of the season.
“This was one of the most difficult decisions of my professional life, but my vision and sense of responsibility for the well-being of everyone involved, was not shared by the majority of the board,” Rudge said.
Rudge said the refusal of the board to require masks for audience members comes as other orchestras in South Carolina either require them or vaccinations of attendees. Rudge states concern for unsafe working conditions for musicians and staff, and audience safety.
“It has been such an honor to have worked with such talented and experienced artists,” Rudge said. “I have so much appreciated their musicianship over these years and now sincerely regret that precautions will not be taken to allow us to continue performing together.”
The symphony board released a statement Thursday that it voted the night prior to accept Rudge’s resignation.
“While we have been working through multiple issues and numerous concerns for quite some time now, it was always our intent to part ways respectfully and professionally,” the statement reads.
The board looks forward to a continued fourth season as it plans for a fifth season, according to the release.
The symphony website offers guidelines for audience members. Masks are strongly encouraged. General admission in tiered sections, opening of a balcony area for spacing, no concessions or designated areas to congregate, hand sanitizer stations, electronic programs and encouraged social distancing are all mentioned.
“Our top priority is to safely return to live concerts,” the home site reads. “We are diligently working to implement necessary safety measures that will help ensure the health and well being of all our patrons.”
The symphony began in 2017. The fully professional orchestra is a nonprofit group. Performances are held at South Pointe High School auditorium.
The symphony began its current season with an October “All Beethoven” performance. Charles Jones Evans served as guest conductor. A holiday concert will come Dec. 11. Elisa Koehler is the listed conductor for that show, which features the Winthrop University Chorale. More shows are scheduled for February, April and May of 2022.
According to the release, Rudge has conducted orchestras and operas in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and South, Central and North America. He has American and international conducting awards and was both a Senior Fulbright Fellow and International Artistic Ambassador with the U.S. State Department.
Rudge also serves as director of orchestras and opera at the State University of New York.
This story was originally published November 18, 2021 at 3:22 PM.
