NATS announces choral rehearsals/concerts could be suspended for up to 1-2 years?

D just sent me a screen shot from a presentation given yesterday at a webinar by NATS/ACDA/ChorusAmerica/Barbershop with recommendations of how to proceed in the face of COVID-19. Given that they come from the largest choral music organizations in the US, my optimism regarding a return to quasi normal in the fall is sinking. Links to the slides are not available so I will summarize the two points that have put fear into D’s heart:

This is the link to webinar registration (which has passed)
https://nats.org/cgi/page.cgi/_article.html/What_s_New/NATS_presents_A_Conversation

Relevant points from the presentation:

  1. There is no safe way for choirs to rehearse together until there is a vaccine or 95% effective treatment in place, most likely 1-2 years. ... Masks and spacing do not protect singers from contagion, singers are super spreaders.
  2. No concerts or public performances this fall and frankly maybe not for 1-2 years though we actually don't know.

The other points (2,4,5) are regarding liability waivers once performances resume, temperature checks for audience members, and possible UV decontamination of air circulation as a route to improving outcomes in performance venues.

The two I have shared have logical extensions for university voice students, and they are not positive. If I find more information, I will pass it on.

I have followed some of the thinking on choral singing also. A few days ago, as Germany announced some of their re-opening guidelines, it was being suggested that as churches were allowed to re-open, singing would not be allowed. I don’t know the current status of their guidelines.

I would be interested in why no form of masks is effective in preventing spread of droplets which seems to be the reason for singers being super-spreaders. Is it really not possible to protect from droplets with masks and social distancing?

The German Bishops thought “quiet singing” should be allowed. Perhaps masks, less than full voice singing, spread positioning and well placed mikes? I certainly hope smarter minds than mine can find a work around.

I’m not questioning any of the above, I just hope that it represents the thinking of the moment and that work arounds and /or new information will become available. As presented, I agree the above is chilling!

I’ve been concerned about this since I read about the Skagit Valley Choir’s experience with Covid a month ago. My sister, who teaches preschool music classes sent me the NATS article yesterday. It’s very concerning for voice students.
My son was in three choirs before everything went online in March, one official university ensemble, one that’s required for choral music Ed majors as conducting practice for those preparing to student teach, and a student organized group. All necessary parts of his education. So much is lost without them.
I don’t know what the school will do. S said that at his last zoom voice lesson his professor wasn’t hopeful about in person lessons in fall. If they can’t do lessons, there’s no way there will be choir in its normal form. My son may have additional options because he auditioned in and has been taking concentration level lessons on cello as well as voice. It might allow him to participate in a strings ensemble that would not otherwise have fit in his schedule if choirs can’t go forward. I don’t think that would take away this disappointment over choir if that’s what it comes to.
I’m also very concerned about high school level music classes for fall and what this could do to high school music programs. Then there’s churches, the broadway shows. A world without music sounds horrible, even temporarily.
I’m a little bit hopeful that with some creativity they can safely solve this problem to some degree—maybe lots of small ensembles and recorded performances? Holding rehearsals in outdoor spaces?
I’m also trying to be hopeful that the medical community will get a handle on treatment options soon so that this become less of a danger.

This must be a problem for woodwinds and brass as well. So sorry for all your singers. This is heartbreaking for so many musicians.

High school and middle school band and choir programs, too would be in huge trouble if states / school districts decide to postpone the programs for 1-2 years until vaccine comes out widely because they just can’t divide into many of smaller music programs due to budget cut. It would be very difficult to catch up a missing year or two of early music training in middle-high school years.

I still think that smaller chamber ensembles, choir and jazz combos should be fine to keep social distance at college and professional rehearsals / concerts. The problem is a 100-piece Orchestra. What will NY Phil do? SF Symphony has cancelled all events in this year…

This is so sad to hear. My D21 will be up for 4 year high school All City Choir next year for Philly which is great accomplishment. The students in choir and orchestra that are selected put so much hard work into this program with many practices before the actual performance. This year they performed on March 7th which was a week before the city shut down so they were just able to get their performance in. It seems like a lifetime ago. With the way things are now, I can’t see how they will be able to do that next year. Another thing just added to the list of what will be taken away from them.

The science is still out. There has been some testing done in Germany on singing and wind playing and spreading or lack of spreading. I haven’t had time to fully translate what I can find online.

I am not panicking yet on the details of how to put musicians on stage. I think the question that is more worrisome is when can audiences be allowed in or video/online platforms converted to a paying model.

@musicaspirant, exactly.

I just wrote on another thread that I can envision concerts happening, at least with small numbers of performers, with no audience, and either livestreamed or posted later online. Or even performed separately with a click track and posted. The idea of a paying model for professionals (not necessarily students) is a good one. I also think a small audience could attend live with proper precautions. In time, anyway.