Thinking about the future for my choirs

I know I did a post earlier today, so I hope you don’t mind me doing an update on how I’m reacting to the current buzz of discussion about the future of choirs post Covid19, and to reassure you that I’m thinking of all my choir members and what our shared future might be.

First: thanks to a number of people who made me aware of this work going on:

Sing into the funnel please: inside the Covid-19 lab hoping to declare singing safe
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/jul/22/sing-funnel-covid-19-lab-hoping-declare-singing-safe

Second: York University are doing some research relevant to choirs;

 “The University of York is researching the impact of COVID-19 on choir singing and singers. They are currently looking for choir members and facilitators to fill out a 10 minute survey about choir participation (pre and post Covid-19): https://york.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b45IX15CMITEkZv
If you have any questions about the research please feel free to email ksb526@york.ac.uk.

Third:  Thanks to Marion Adler for telling me about an interesting item on Radio 4 last night on Inside Health discussing the future for choirs. The item starts around 17 minutes in, and includes a contribution from Pru Heathcote who sings in a couple of our East Sussex choirs.

Fourth: I’d like to reassure you all, that I am trying to keep abreast of the discussions regarding the future of choirs.

East Sussex Community Choir: At this stage it seems unlikely that we will be meeting again in September. But we are looking into alternative rehearsal venues, that are larger and better ventilated than our current space. We still have a concert booked into the Town Hall on December 19th, and I’m holding onto that until I have further information.

Lewes Chamber Choir: We have a committee meeting scheduled for mid August – meeting in Tessa George’s garden! Many of you have expressed your keenness to resume our musical meetings, and we will be discussing that then.

Brighton Singers: We have a committee meeting (on Zoom) scheduled for mid August, when we will discuss the current situation, hoping we can form a positive plan.

New Sussex Opera: We have re-scheduled our production of Handel: Acis and Galatea for 2021 – dates are confirmed. And I think that is likely to be our next production – so nothing in the Autumn this year.

First Sunday Recitals at St Michael’s Lewes: I will be re-starting these as soon as I can, either in September (Paul Gregory: Guitar) or October (Rebecca Anstey: mezzo & Colin Hughes: piano)

I miss all my musical friends. I will get things moving as soon as I can, but I’m not trailblazing my way to prison!

with best wishes to you all.

Nick

 

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