Summer symphony concerts under the stars have long been cherished as a blend of nature and music—a gentle breeze accompanying Mozart, cicadas chirping in rhythm with Mahler. I have always viewed them as a rite of summer but have enjoyed many cherished moments. I recall a stunning Respighi Pines of Rome where the resident birds overpowered the recording of birdsong at the end of the Pines of the Janiculum; A reading of the 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky not only with canon, but neighboring church carillons chiming in from all directions; Handel’s epic Royal Fireworks Music complete with actual fireworks lighting the sky. But climate change is striking a different chord.
Rising temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns are reshaping the logistics and experience of outdoor performances. Orchestras must now contend with ever recurring heatwaves that pose health risks to attendees and musicians alike, not to mention sudden storms that can cancel events with little warning. Historic venues nestled in parks and open fields are increasingly investing in climate-resilient infrastructure—think shaded stages, cooling stations, and better drainage systems.
Most professional orchestras maintain collective bargaining agreements that address the extremes in temperature (typically releasing musicians from playing obligations if the temperature is below 65 degrees Fahrenheit or above 95 degrees), but if these are enforced, the musicians are perceived as villains despite the fact that the heat (or cold) severely threatens both instrument integrity and tuning stability, to say nothing of the impact on the performer. Sudden rain events, often involving thunderstorms with lightning are somewhat predictable but involve risk to all involved and require logistical choreography that challenges even the most well-thought-out plans. Even when performers, audiences, and staff are safely undercover, torrential rain can still wreak havoc on equipment and staging that is left exposed.
If the presenter cancels a performance merely at the threat of rain or extreme heat (to save costs on personnel or concessions as well as public inconvenience) and the threat fails to fully materialize (forecasts have been known to be wrong), then ill will is incurred, and connection with the community is diminished.
Some recent examples:
LA Philharmonic – Wildfires
In January 2025, the LA Philharmonic canceled multiple concerts due to devastating wildfires in and around Los Angeles. The fires affected musicians and staff directly, making it unsafe to proceed with scheduled performances.
Austin Symphony Orchestra – Extreme Heat
Austin’s Hartman Foundation Concerts in the Park series faced unprecedented cancellations—three out of five shows were called off due to dangerous heat levels.
Gulley Park Concert Series (Fayetteville, AR)
This community concert series canceled events in summer 2023 as heat indexes soared into triple digits. What began as a seasonal tradition was halted by extreme temperatures.
New Jersey & New York – Heat Wave Cancellations
The 2023 heat wave led to widespread cancellations across the Northeast, including the Harlem Festival of Culture and several community band performances in Hazlet, Nutley, and Netcong.
Jazz on the Green (Omaha, NE)A performance was rescheduled due to excessive heat, with organizers hoping for cooler conditions later in the season.
Lancaster Festival Orchestra – Ohio Flooding
After flooding in Fairfield County, the Management had to cancel three remaining concerts as the performance venue was decimated by flooding.
John Legend & Cleveland Orchestra – Blossom Music Center
A sold out concert at the usually weatherable Blossom Music Center was canceled mid-performance due to heavy rain and lightning in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
Detroit Symphony Orchestra – Flooded Halls
Severe rain led to flooding inside the venue, forcing the cancellation of a scheduled performance.
These concerts have always aimed to bring people together in celebration, but now they offer a unique moment to reflect. As the music plays on, it can inspire conversations about sustainability, adaptation, and how cultural institutions can lead by example. Symphony under the sun still has a future—it just requires tuning to the times.
Some possible responses:
- Installing shade structures, cooling stations, and rain shelters at outdoor venues
- Upgrading stage amenities assuring comfortable conditions for the musicians
- Upgrading drainage systems to prevent flooding or at least minimize its affects.
- Transitioning some summer concerts to indoor or hybrid formats during peak heat or storm seasons
- Joining initiatives like the Music Sustainability Alliance to share best practices
- Organizing free concerts after weather-related cancellations to maintain community connection
- Educating audiences through pre-concert talks and interactive exhibits on climate resilience and musician vulnerability