Photos: Look back at Concerts on the Square over the years
Organizers have pushed back this year's Concerts on the Square by five weeks because of social distancing measures in the wake of COVID-19. So here's a look back at scenes from the popular series, started in 1983 by the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra.
Concerts on the Square 1984
Musician John Tuinstra tunes up while conductor David Crosby relaxes in the background at a Concerts on the Square performance in 1984.
Concerts on The Square 1985
Thousands of hot but happy people gather on the state Capitol grounds in 1985 for the first of the year's free concerts.
Concerts on the Square 1986
David Lewis Crosby conducts Concerts on the Square in 1986.
Concerts On The Square 1987
A woman takes a nap before a June 24, 1987, Concerts on the Square, using a program to block out the sun.
Concerts on the Square 1988
A scene from Concerts on the Square in 1988.
Concerts on the Square 1990
A scene from Concerts on the Square in 1990.
Concerts on the Square 1992
Attendees at a 1992 Concerts on the Square performance share chardonnay on the Capitol lawn.
Concerts on the Square 1998
Eyes and ears are on the weather as storm clouds threaten to cancel the Sesquicentennial Concert on the Square on June 25, 1998. Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Conductor David Lewis Crosby, center, and WHA public radio producer Liz Koerner study the heavens while orchestra executive director Bob Sorge, left, gets weather information on his cell phone. Crosby died unexpectedly from a heart attack on his way to the final summer concert that season July 29, 1998.
Concerts on the Square 2000
Bertie Donovan, center, and John Cerveny of Madison take cover under a newspaper while other concert-goers used umbrellas and blankets as protection from the rain at the Concerts On The Square on June 29, 2000. The performance was cancelled after one musical piece because of rain and high winds.
Concerts on the Square 2001
Del and Sue Weum, Cambridge, examine a rather large strawberry from a Lum's fruit salad as they wait for Concerts on the Square to begin June 27, 2001.
Concerts on the Square 2002
Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Director Andrew Sewell leads the orchestra in the first of the 2002 Concerts On the Square on June 26, 2002.
Concerts on the Square 2004
Hayley Stoneman, 6, of McFarland and family friend Kathy Sweeney of McFarland clap for the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra during the season debut of Concerts on the Square on June 30, 2004.
Concerts on the Square 2006
Lindsey Stratton, front left, and Rachel Fanney rest as Rikki Flint, top right, and Jamie Stratton, all from Lodi, read before the start of Concerts on the Square on July 12, 2006, on the State Capitol lawn in Madison.
Concerts on the Square 2006
A tapestry of blankets dots the State Capitol lawn along Pinckney Street between East Washington Avenue and North Hamilton Street in July 2006. Those wanting prime locations for Concerts on the Square stake out spots early in the afternoon but are prohibited from spreading their blankets until 3 pm., four hours before the concert begins.
Concerts on the Square 2008
Andrew Sewell, pictured here in 2008, has led Concerts on the Square since 2000.
Concerts on the Square 2011
Isabella Quinn, 7, and her brother, Gunter, 3, of Madison share a dance during Concerts on the Square in Madison on the Capitol grounds on June 29, 2011.
Concerts on the Square 2013
The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra during Concerts on the Square in Madison on July 31, 2013.
Concerts on the Square 2014
Kristin Muenster, left, of Cross Plains and Stephanie Hansen of Waunakee keeping busy before Concerts on the Square in Madison on July 16, 2014.
Concerts on the Square 2015
Lucas Etten of Madison's Sosonic event production company attaches sound equipment on a stage canopy for the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra's Concerts on the Square event in Madison on July 1, 2015. The new aluminum structure, which was designed and manufactured by ModTruss Inc. of Fond du Lac, features a free-standing, fan-out design that is able to be set up by a crew of 10 in about four hours.
Concerts on the Square 2016
A server takes a tray of catered food to guests before the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra's performance at Concerts on the Square on the grounds of the State Capitol in Madison on July 13, 2016.
Concerts on the Square 2017
Three generations of the Ruder family, hailing from Madison and Verona, front, and hundreds of others take in the first Concert on the Square of the season at the state Capitol in Madison on June 29, 2017.
Concerts on the Square 2018
In this 2018 photo, Concerts on the Square turns the state Capitol lawn into a giant picnic ground full of blankets and people enjoying the free music from the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra.
Concerts on the Square 2019
Hundreds of people, including Georgia Strebe and son Vincent, center, arrive early to snag a spot on the lawn of the state Capitol for the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra’s Concerts on the Square on June 26, 2019.
Teryl Franklin | Lee Enterprises
Lee Enterprises National News Editor
Teryl Franklin is the National News Editor for Lee Enterprises. She previously worked in a variety of roles for the Wisconsin State Journal, including managing editor and senior editor for audience development.
If you're missing the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra's usual Concerts on the Square series, pushed back and replaced partly by drive-in concerts because of COVID-19, here's a look back at scenes from the event over the years.
The orchestra will perform two versions of Concerts on the Square live from Breese Stevens Field on Aug. 25 and Sept. 1 and broadcast the performance for free.
Maestro Andrew Sewell will lead the orchestra's 34 musicians in chamber works for multiple ensembles, ranging from trios to octets.
The Madison Symphony Orchestra has canceled all events through May because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Food, beverages, wine and beer will be available for purchase at each concert, but carry-in food will not be allowed at Breese Stevens Field event.
The 33rd Madison Jazz Festival hopes to "shine a spotlight on the types of jazz that the community can be a part of all year long."
The Dane County Sheriff's Office urged motorists to avoid Highway 19, Highway N and Highway T.
Concerts on the Square will return in its traditional form at its traditional home this summer, the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra announced Tuesday.
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