Hello Everyone:
Last night the Board and I met to determine what we will be doing as we watch the infection rates skyrocket all over Erie County. Choruses of our size all over the country are ‘pausing’ once again. The phrase ‘out of an abundance of caution’ once again has to be invoked. Here is a basic summary of what BCAS will be doing for the remainder of the winter. Our #1 goal is to keep all singers SAFE.
- The infection rate is over 20% at this time and as a result we will take a ‘pause’ until Wednesday night, March 23rd. During this ‘in person’ ‘pause’, we will however have a few Zoom Sings! so we stay in touch and keep our voices in fairly decent shape. Our goal is to resume in person rehearsals on March 23rd with an infection rate of 10% or less. BTW, the infection rate in September was around 5% and at Christmas around 10%. With the Omicrom Virus taking center stage, we’re now at very frightening rates.
- When we resume we will require ALL singers to be vaccinated AND have had a Booster. shot. At this time we will still require masks as well. It’s all about the CDC and the infection rate here in Erie County.
- Our March 5th ‘Sacred’ Concert will be moved to Sunday, June 5th, with a possible dress rehearsal date of Saturday, June 4th. Place TBD.
- Our RIV concert of May 22nd, will be moved to next October, the Fall, mostly in order to get a larger audience than we would have gotten in May of this year.
- There will be NO auditions this January, but we will resume auditions for all voice parts in September. Our Webpage will now indicate that. Prospective singers should check that webpage and fill out an audition form. Starting in August there will be more specific information regarding Fall auditions.
- Because we want to make sure ALL members, plus our LOA singers are all up to date with this new info, I will be hosting a Zoom meeting this coming Wednesday, January 12th from 7:30 – 8:30. I plan to have selections from our fabulous Christmas concert for you to hear. I will send out the Zoom Invitation and Zoom numbers on Monday.
It is imperative that each of us stays up to date and in touch with all of these developments. Please make sure you read all communications from the Board and me.
Like you, I’m not at all happy that we have to take this approach to ensure our safety while rehearsing and performing, however it is apparent we must. And we’re not unlike other singing groups our size.
With Best Regards,
Go Bills!!!
M