Zoom Meeting March 24th, Wednesday, 7:00 – 8:00

Posted by & filed under Notes from Marcia.

Hello Everyone:

Below is a copy of an email I sent last week to a committee of folks to get us going for procuring a new venue site until the schools allow us to come back.  I am now sharing this email with all of our membership to get ALL of us involved in this process.  To that end, I am inviting you ALL to a Zoom meeting in order to get each of you gently back in the saddle for that time when we can get together again.  Besides talking about possible venue sites, we need to find out your intentions for resuming singing in BCAS.  The Zoom invitation will follow. On another matter, thanks to so many of you for the cards and well wishes as I recuperate from my knee replacement surgery.  It’s 4 weeks and I’m doing better and better each week.  Rehab is a literal pain, but I’m getting there.  As soon as this one heals, I’ll be doing the other one.

Here is the email I sent.

Hello Everyone:

 

One year ago, we walked out of Sweet Home Middle School thinking we had 3-4 more rehearsals before we would welcome Dan Forrest to Buffalo to help us present a concert of his music.  More than 2 years of planning for that privilege —-poof —–gone!  The Pandemic HIT!!!!

We’ve learned so much since that fateful night, as singers, as parents, grandparents, friends, teachers, workers, seniors, students, etc.

Covid 19 will NOT break our spirit.  The CDC has given us hope especially regarding those who have been, or will be vaccinated.  We can gather!  Here’s the problem.  Large groups can gather – up to 25 people.  Let’s get right to the point.  What do choral ensembles of more than 25 people do have in person rehearsals?  Will there even be an audience when we have a concert ready?  A concert venue!

There are 4 major issue to consider for BCAS to begin again:

  1. Will singers be able to gather safely?
  2. Where will we gather to rehearse?
  3. Will there be a concert venue for us to perform in safely?
  4. Will there be an audience?

At the Board meeting last Thursday evening, I reported that a few of you whom I tapped to be a Venue Committee, reported and shared a few suggestions for our gathering.  The suggestions ranged from large and small  college spaces, to community gathering places.  From those, to church halls, to non-public schools large places, to actual churches. 

Now we need follow-through.  If you suggested a rehearsal possibility, would you kindly get much more specific information regarding those places.  Please, please help out!. 

The Board wants much more specific information. Here is my proposal.  I am inviting you to a BCAS Zoom Venue Meeting for Wednesday, March 24th for an hour, 7:00 – 8:00.  I hope each of you especially will be there.  I will also be inviting anyone in the membership to join us.  The goal that evening is to have a discussion regarding this issue, and then to come up with specific suggestions and to appoint chairs for sub-committees to gather information about what we may be able to use for our rehearsal site.  The sub-committees will be 1) schools; 2) churches, 3), other. Another goal of that meeting will be to gauge the number of returning members.

We have found out so often with BCAS that one or two people cannot do this kind of work, but many can so much more efficiently.

Here is a list of the original criteria that I sent to you in February before my surgery.  I will report back to the Board by April 15.  Between April 15 to June 1st we will shorten the list to check into.

REHEARSAL NEEDS:

  1. A large enough room so we could socially distance 100+ singers in masks, and with (comfortable) seating available.  There is a possibility the room could seat 40-50 socially distanced and we would have to have 2 rehearsals.
  2. A good ventilation system. Are there windows?  Doors?
  3. A very good piano that is central to conductor and singers. Preferably an acoustic keyboard, not digital.
  4. What is the charge???? Other responsibilities on our end, i.e. cleansing after rehearsals, etc. The Board will possibly authorize up to $2800 – $3000 per year for rent.
  5. Easy access for us.  Elevator access if it is on a 2nd floor
  6. Lavatory availability.
  7. Parking availability for 60-80 cars.
  8. A storage room for our ‘stuff’.  Music, tables, etc. The stuff we had at Sweet Home.

There are probably other needs, but above are the essentials to get us started.

My best to all of you.

M