UPDATE FOR FALL 2021 (rev. July 31, 2021)
Following a healthy and successful summer camp, we are certainly excited about our return to rehearsals in the fall! Of course, concerns remain with how to effectively work through COVID-19 circumstances, especially in light of recent developments with the pandemic, mitigation strategies recommended by the CDC, AAP, and Hamilton County TN Health Department, and updated guidelines provided by organizations including the American Choral Directors Association, Chorus America, the National Federation of High School Associations, and other statewide and regional arts education organizations.
While we continue to monitor the status of COVID in our community and consider best practices of professional and partner organizations, local schools, and others, we want to inform you about mitigation strategies that the Chattanooga Boys Choir will employ as we resume indoor rehearsals in fall 2021:
UPDATE FOR SUMMER CAMP (July 19-23, 2021)
While area summer camps and preparation for school in the fall seem to mark a return to "normal," the Chattanooga Boys Choir remains cognizant of the continued challenges provided by lingering presence of COVID-19. While we are delighted by the continued positive trend in vaccination rates, reduced cases, and other signs of an eventual return to pre-COVID practices, the choir leadership is especially aware that :
- vaccinations still remain unapproved for many of our members, specifically those under the age of 12;
- the increasing spread of COVID variants;
- the length of time that members of the community - and particularly children - have recently been away from COVID protocols, since the completion of the 2020-21 school year.
As a result, the Chattanooga Boys Choir will continue to observe protocols designed to mitigate the possible presence or spread of COVID while our choristers are at camp at the Baylor School this summer. These policies include procedures put in place by Baylor, policies communicated by the Center for Disease Control, and guidelines from organizations including the National Federation of High School Associations, the American Choral Directors Association, and other sources (Arts Ed NJ, Minnesota Health Dept., etc.) regarding the safe inclusion of performing arts in schools. The policies that the choir will observe during summer camp include:
- the wearing of face coverings by all choristers and staff indoors;
- increased filter/ventilation efforts in addition to existing H/VAC in indoor rehearsal spaces (masks are optional for outdoor activities);
- spacing (min. 3 feet) between choristers in all indoor activities;
- as many outdoor activities - lunch, recreation, pool time, classes, etc. - as possible included in the scheduled day;
- continued hand-washing, sanitizing, and no sharing of items among choristers.
- [Update: July 15, 2021] individual lunches will be served in single clamshell containers delivered to the choir camp area; students will - weather-permitting - eat outside with masks removed for eating. If inclement weather persists, students will eat inside, spaced, and will only have masks off during periods of active eating.
Additionally, there will be no final public program at the end of camp or parent meetings during the week (as we have done in 2019 and prior). We will try to make video and pictures available to you soon after the completion of camp to share some of the fun that we've had!
As we continue to work together as a community to move us through and beyond this pandemic, we appreciate your understanding and cooperation with these efforts designed to keep everyone safe and healthy. See you at camp!!!
STAYING SAFE DURING THE 2020-2021 SEASON
Robert Lowry penned the hymn How Can I Keep from Singing? in 1869, with America still recovering from the effects of the U.S. Civil War and the country suffering the effects of a worldwide cholera pandemic. We now find ourselves in times that are reminiscent of the days Lowry must have experienced, grappling with both fear and anxiety about our public health, while still attempting to heel the deep wounds of bitter divisiveness. It is against this backdrop that Lowry posed the question, "How can I keep from singing?" and we now find ourselves needing to answer this question again.
The Chattanooga Boys Choir recognizes the challenges with holding conventional, in-person rehearsals and meetings during the current circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. In an attempt to mitigate these concerns, the choir has remained current with the most recent research, adopted guidelines recommended by leading educational and industry experts, and remained in close consultation with local medical staff regarding best practices. In the summer and fall of 2020, the Chattanooga Boys Choir responded by hosting a combination of virtual (on-line) meetings and in-person rehearsals which followed the following safety measures for all staff and choristers:
- outdoor / open-air rehearsal venues
- all singers and staff remain masked at all times, including rehearsals
- socially distanced minimum of eight feet (rehearsal) or six feet (theory class)
- temperature check and symptom-free reporting form at each rehearsal
- increased sanitation measures and cleaning of high-touch surfaces
- individual supplies and no shared materials
These measures were taken in consultation with local health officials and with advisement from several national studies and professional guidelines, including:
American Choral Directors Association: Resources for Choral Professionals
National Association for Music Education: COVID Resources
NFHS: International Coalition of Performing Arts Organizations COVID-19 Study
In addition to taking these measures for in-person meetings of the choir, the CBC has also taken advantage of numerous virtual offerings, allowing the choristers to take part in masterclasses, mentorship opportunities, virtual choir performances, and collaborations that have brought them new and exciting experiences.
Due to the prevalence of COVID-19 in the Chattanooga region and the re-opening phase of Hamilton County Schools at the beginning of the 2021 calendar year, the CBC will begin the spring 2021semester in a virtual capacity, with two virtual choir projects, opportunities for mentorship and collaboration, and online mini-concerts to start the year. At this time, we anticipate a return to in-person rehearsals - in accordance with the guidelines stated above - in late February/early March, with an outdoor spring Finale! concert scheduled for tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, May 11. Until then, the choristers will release several virtual choir performances, participate in collaborations with the Miami University (OH) Glee Club, and be featured in the JFGC commemoration of Yom Hashoah.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Chorus America: Choruses and COVID-19
Choralosophy (Chris Munce with Dr. David McKinsey): Are We Asking All the Right COVID Questions?
Choralosophy (Chris Munce with Dr. Amesh Adalja ): Risk Assessment for Group Activities
National Band Directors Association: Performing Arts Aerosol Study (Colorado State University)
Barbershop Harmony Society: COVID_19 Resources for Barbershop Choirs
National Association of Teachers of Singing: COVID Resources Page
Performing Arts Medicine Association: Resources for the Coronavirus Pandemic and Beyond
ChorAmor: Advocacy, Methods, and Performance
Following a healthy and successful summer camp, we are certainly excited about our return to rehearsals in the fall! Of course, concerns remain with how to effectively work through COVID-19 circumstances, especially in light of recent developments with the pandemic, mitigation strategies recommended by the CDC, AAP, and Hamilton County TN Health Department, and updated guidelines provided by organizations including the American Choral Directors Association, Chorus America, the National Federation of High School Associations, and other statewide and regional arts education organizations.
While we continue to monitor the status of COVID in our community and consider best practices of professional and partner organizations, local schools, and others, we want to inform you about mitigation strategies that the Chattanooga Boys Choir will employ as we resume indoor rehearsals in fall 2021:
- All singers and staff are required to wear the provided RESONANCE Singer's Mask, which provides a tight fitting seal, ample filtration, breathability, and comfortable space in which to sing. An ASTM Level 3 certified temporary replacement mask ("3D style") will be provided in case a chorister arrive without theirs;
- Choir schedules have been revised for the fall semester so that no choir has rehearsal in one place for more than the recommended maximum of 50 minutes, with choirs moving (sectionals, music theory lab, etc.) so that adequate air exchanges can take place between activities;
- In addition to existing HVAC air exchanges in Second Presbyterian Church, Medify air purifiers will run prior to, during, and following all CBC rehearsals. These include MA-112 (CADR rating 950, 3,700 sqf per hour) in the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall and MA-40 (CADR rating 950, 2,400 sqf per hour) in the Computer Music Theory Lab, Youth Choir Room, and Chapel;
- In accordance with recent recommendations and guidelines, choristers will be spaced a minimum of 3 feet in rehearsals and in the Computer Music Theory lab;
- Increased sanitation measures and cleaning of high-touch surfaces;
- While vaccination is not required for in-person participation in the choir, those who are eligible to receive it are strongly encouraged to do so, noting that getting the vaccine is understood to reduce the transmission and severity of COVID-19;
- Choristers and their families are asked to time their arrival and departures to/from Second Presbyterian Church so that they are not waiting indoors for long periods of time. If choristers arrive early, they may wait in the Fellowship Hall (no food or drink other than water permitted), following the same mask and spacing protocols used in rehearsals and musicianship classes;
- Continued use of individual supplies, sheet music, and theory lab workstations, and no shared materials.
UPDATE FOR SUMMER CAMP (July 19-23, 2021)
While area summer camps and preparation for school in the fall seem to mark a return to "normal," the Chattanooga Boys Choir remains cognizant of the continued challenges provided by lingering presence of COVID-19. While we are delighted by the continued positive trend in vaccination rates, reduced cases, and other signs of an eventual return to pre-COVID practices, the choir leadership is especially aware that :
- vaccinations still remain unapproved for many of our members, specifically those under the age of 12;
- the increasing spread of COVID variants;
- the length of time that members of the community - and particularly children - have recently been away from COVID protocols, since the completion of the 2020-21 school year.
As a result, the Chattanooga Boys Choir will continue to observe protocols designed to mitigate the possible presence or spread of COVID while our choristers are at camp at the Baylor School this summer. These policies include procedures put in place by Baylor, policies communicated by the Center for Disease Control, and guidelines from organizations including the National Federation of High School Associations, the American Choral Directors Association, and other sources (Arts Ed NJ, Minnesota Health Dept., etc.) regarding the safe inclusion of performing arts in schools. The policies that the choir will observe during summer camp include:
- the wearing of face coverings by all choristers and staff indoors;
- increased filter/ventilation efforts in addition to existing H/VAC in indoor rehearsal spaces (masks are optional for outdoor activities);
- spacing (min. 3 feet) between choristers in all indoor activities;
- as many outdoor activities - lunch, recreation, pool time, classes, etc. - as possible included in the scheduled day;
- continued hand-washing, sanitizing, and no sharing of items among choristers.
- [Update: July 15, 2021] individual lunches will be served in single clamshell containers delivered to the choir camp area; students will - weather-permitting - eat outside with masks removed for eating. If inclement weather persists, students will eat inside, spaced, and will only have masks off during periods of active eating.
Additionally, there will be no final public program at the end of camp or parent meetings during the week (as we have done in 2019 and prior). We will try to make video and pictures available to you soon after the completion of camp to share some of the fun that we've had!
As we continue to work together as a community to move us through and beyond this pandemic, we appreciate your understanding and cooperation with these efforts designed to keep everyone safe and healthy. See you at camp!!!
STAYING SAFE DURING THE 2020-2021 SEASON
Robert Lowry penned the hymn How Can I Keep from Singing? in 1869, with America still recovering from the effects of the U.S. Civil War and the country suffering the effects of a worldwide cholera pandemic. We now find ourselves in times that are reminiscent of the days Lowry must have experienced, grappling with both fear and anxiety about our public health, while still attempting to heel the deep wounds of bitter divisiveness. It is against this backdrop that Lowry posed the question, "How can I keep from singing?" and we now find ourselves needing to answer this question again.
The Chattanooga Boys Choir recognizes the challenges with holding conventional, in-person rehearsals and meetings during the current circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. In an attempt to mitigate these concerns, the choir has remained current with the most recent research, adopted guidelines recommended by leading educational and industry experts, and remained in close consultation with local medical staff regarding best practices. In the summer and fall of 2020, the Chattanooga Boys Choir responded by hosting a combination of virtual (on-line) meetings and in-person rehearsals which followed the following safety measures for all staff and choristers:
- outdoor / open-air rehearsal venues
- all singers and staff remain masked at all times, including rehearsals
- socially distanced minimum of eight feet (rehearsal) or six feet (theory class)
- temperature check and symptom-free reporting form at each rehearsal
- increased sanitation measures and cleaning of high-touch surfaces
- individual supplies and no shared materials
These measures were taken in consultation with local health officials and with advisement from several national studies and professional guidelines, including:
American Choral Directors Association: Resources for Choral Professionals
National Association for Music Education: COVID Resources
NFHS: International Coalition of Performing Arts Organizations COVID-19 Study
In addition to taking these measures for in-person meetings of the choir, the CBC has also taken advantage of numerous virtual offerings, allowing the choristers to take part in masterclasses, mentorship opportunities, virtual choir performances, and collaborations that have brought them new and exciting experiences.
Due to the prevalence of COVID-19 in the Chattanooga region and the re-opening phase of Hamilton County Schools at the beginning of the 2021 calendar year, the CBC will begin the spring 2021semester in a virtual capacity, with two virtual choir projects, opportunities for mentorship and collaboration, and online mini-concerts to start the year. At this time, we anticipate a return to in-person rehearsals - in accordance with the guidelines stated above - in late February/early March, with an outdoor spring Finale! concert scheduled for tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, May 11. Until then, the choristers will release several virtual choir performances, participate in collaborations with the Miami University (OH) Glee Club, and be featured in the JFGC commemoration of Yom Hashoah.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Chorus America: Choruses and COVID-19
Choralosophy (Chris Munce with Dr. David McKinsey): Are We Asking All the Right COVID Questions?
Choralosophy (Chris Munce with Dr. Amesh Adalja ): Risk Assessment for Group Activities
National Band Directors Association: Performing Arts Aerosol Study (Colorado State University)
Barbershop Harmony Society: COVID_19 Resources for Barbershop Choirs
National Association of Teachers of Singing: COVID Resources Page
Performing Arts Medicine Association: Resources for the Coronavirus Pandemic and Beyond
ChorAmor: Advocacy, Methods, and Performance
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