GRAND RAPIDS, MI, Jan. 16, 2018 – In recognition of the 800,000 federal employees currently furloughed from work or who are required to work without pay, the Grand Rapids Symphony is offering two free tickets to an upcoming Symphony concert to any federal employee who is affected by the shutdown.

The Grand Rapids Symphony also is offering four free tickets for any of its upcoming Family series or Lollipop concerts to affected workers and their families.

“The Grand Rapids Symphony is a community-supported orchestra, and it’s our duty and privilege to support our community as well,” said Denise Lubey, Grand Rapids Symphony Vice President of Marketing and Communications.

“Music not only is one of our greatest pleasures, it’s one of our greatest sources of comfort in trying times,” Lubey said.  “Music nourishes the soul and lifts the spirits. It sustains us when we’re sad and entertains us when we need to set aside the worries of the day.”

Tickets are available for any upcoming Grand Rapids Symphony concert with the exception of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on Feb. 1-2, which is sold out.

Call the Grand Rapids Symphony at (616) 454-9451 or go online to GRSymphony.org for more information and for details on all upcoming concerts in the 2018-19 season.

Federal employees will be asked to provide their job and office or agency for confirmation. More than 22 percent of all federal employees in Michigan totaling about 5,700 workers currently are affected by the shutdown in the Great Lake State.

Other Grand Rapids Symphony programs that provide services to the community include Symphony Scorecard, which offers up to four free concert tickets for members of the community receiving financial assistance from the State of Michigan or who are serving in the U.S. military; and Free for Kids, which gives free tickets to students age 7 to 18 along with the purchase of a full-price adult ticket.

Grand Rapids Symphony’s Music for Health Initiative sends musicians into area health care settings to provide music for patient rehabilitation and relaxation for patients, caregivers and family members.

The offer of free tickets for affected federal workers will remain in force for 30 days after the shutdown ends.

“We hope the furlough is resolved soon, but until then, the Grand Rapids Symphony is here to help,” Lubey said.