The COVID-19 pandemic isn’t done forcing concerts to cancel. The Perlman Music Program Suncoast announced it has canceled its 2021-’22 PMP Winter Residency program, which was set to begin on Dec. 26.

“To say that the students, faculty and staff of The Perlman Music Program are sad is an understatement. Our annual trip to Sarasota is something we treasure,” said program founder Toby Perlman. “A highlight of our year, we look forward to it, dream about it and have never been disappointed. Over our years in Sarasota, we have made good friends who have emotional ties to the faculty and students and I know many of the public have watched our PMPers grow up. We feel like a big family because that’s what we are.”

In previous years, a contingency of students comes to Sarasota for 17 days and learns from faculty including legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman. Typically, around 25 string musicians as young as age 12 and up to those in their mid-20s participate in music events a the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus, as well as a concert at the Sarasota Opera House.

“The Perlman Music Program/Suncoast has provided a rare environment for our students; a safe place where ideas - musical and otherwise - can be explored, a place where we really and truly care about one another and a place where we do not compete,” Toby Perlman said. “Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 we will be absent this winter. We are sad and we are sorry.”

Alternatively, staff for the PMP program hope to set up alumni shows and events in Sarasota and to do visits, in-person or virtually, to area schools. Virtual recitals will be released on the Perlman Suncoast website and YouTube channel later this month.

When events do return, program organizers have committed to adhering to #SafeArtsSarasota protocols.