August 23, 2022
For fall of 2022, I have decided to shift the Chorus to mask-optional (mask friendly) singing, to follow college practice and policy. The College may change its policy any time depending on circumstances of community health, and we will certainly change accordingly. I will review the effects of this shift throughout the fall and at the conclusion of the term, to see if any further change or adjustment is appropriate.
Vaccination and booster (or approved health or religious exemption) continues to be required in order to participate in the Chorus, and all events, at Middlebury.
Because we cannot reliably predict transmission of COVID-19, I acknowledge that this is an imperfect policy that may indeed trouble singers who have come to the conclusion that to sing masked is the only safe way to sing. You are always welcome to wear a mask, and there may be times for each of us when we should wear a mask (or should not attend a rehearsal - or a dinner party, or coffeeshop, etc.!). While it is certainly possible to come in contact with the coronavirus in a choral rehearsal, I no longer feel that the rehearsal or performance environment presents a particular danger in general. Any number of other social gatherings seem to me to be far more precarious, and in my experience, which includes choirs and instances of COVID-19, the rehearsal or performance event is not where the spreading occurs. (None of my family have had COVID, despite all of our rehearsing and interaction in rehearsal environments throughout the pandemic, so I do feel somewhat vulnerable for that reason.)
I also acknowledge that for many singers, permanent masking when singing is no longer appealing or constructive, given the general state of both the virus itself, and incidence locally. My survey of the chorus members intending to sing revealed a strong majority in favor of mask-optional singing (I don't include data to avoid impressions of divisions or other counterproductive notions in the chorus community). Based on my interpretation of the survey, I feel that to continue with a full masking policy is more likely to negatively affect the chorus in the near future, and potentially the distant future; I see a clear indication that many singers will choose another activity if there is not a possibility to sing without a mask.
Any doubts? Wear a mask! Even if that simply helps you to feel safer and more comfortable.
I ask that "mask-friendly," meaning the mix of singers with and without masks in rehearsals and performance, will be welcomed and supported by all present.
A few important measures:
Observe vaccination/booster is required for Chorus/participation in organizations at the College.
Mask if you have any concern about any rehearsal. Extra distance can also be arranged easily.
Do not attend rehearsal if you have symptoms not accounted for by allergies or circumstances not related to airborne illness (cold, flu, etc.).
Maintain about two feet of distance between singers.
To this final point, I do intend for us to maintain about two feet of distance between singers, permanently, it's the way I prefer choirs musically as well as health-wise. A little bit of distance encourages your own sound, exercises your listening and awareness, and contributes what I believe to be a significant distance as measure against transmitting any germs among singers. It may seem that makes things harder to hear, but I think it keeps chatter and interference to a minimum, thus, you can focus more clearly on the font of musical wisdom and charm before you that is me. and Tim. maybe more Tim.
Please know that developing a communication like this takes a lot of thought, research, and time, I certainly share this in the spirit of best interests for our choral community.
Jeff