Dear singers,
The Management Committee and Adrian have been in discussions via email about the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 on the Choir’s eventual return to rehearsals and schedule for concert performances. Given the ongoing uncertainties, and the strong likelihood that social isolation/distancing will continue throughout the winter months, it has been decided to delay the recommencement of rehearsals until Term 3 this year (16 September), based on the following reasoning:
- Even if social isolation restrictions were to be gradually lifted over the next few months, some (or possibly many) members may be reluctant to return to rehearsals immediately, particularly if they have pre-existing health conditions which put them at higher risk if they contract the virus;
- Such anxiety could also be experienced amongst orchestra members and soloists;
- Likewise, audiences may be hard to attract out of isolation, and implementing social distancing (1.5m distance between people) would mean that whatever audience numbers we could attract would be at least halved, resulting in performances running at significant losses; and
- Finally, we have no control over polices put in place by local Council which will determine whether, when, and under what conditions we can return to rehearsing and performing, so a more protracted delay than we had originally hoped for seems most sensible.
The effect of this is that our proposed concerts have had to be cancelled or postponed. Adrian (and the committee) are working on a program for the rest of 2020.
At this stage it is looking like this – provided we have been given the “go ahead” –
2020:
Wednesday 16th September – Commence Term 3 rehearsals “A Rutter Christmas”
Saturday 5th December – Rehearsal at Gregson & Weight 1.30pm “A Rutter Christmas”
Sunday 6th December – Concert at Gregson & Weight 2pm “A Rutter Christmas”
We all share in any disappointment you may be feeling, but please be assured that these are positive steps for the well-being of us all.
Kind regards,
Andrew BURNS
President
