[New_csc_newsline] Choral Notes from Nathan

[Nathan Leaf]

Greetings Concert Singers – I hope everyone is healthy and well. Since we
last spoke, there have been many developments regarding COVID-19, and
things are changing at a rapid pace. As Kat and I are staying home with our
kids (whose preschool is closed) we are making full use of all the craft
and music items in our house, as well as our Disney+ streaming
subscription. Since I now have seen all of Frozen II (twice) I will impart
a bit of wisdom that I learned from that show, which is, “when you don’t
know what to do, just do the next right thing.”



So, for Concert Singers, the next right thing is cancelling our March 23
and March 30 rehearsals, and making plans to conduct our remaining concert
preparations in an alternate manner. At this point, our May 16 Mozart
performance is still scheduled to occur, although of course that may
change, depending on conditions. The good news is that May 16 is past the 8
week window recently recommended by the CDC. For now, please keep the April
and May Monday evening rehearsal times in your plans. I don’t know when we
will next be able gather together in person, but we may try to gather
virtually in some fashion at some of those times. I also plan to send out
some video recordings to help guide you in self-directed practice, using
your scores, and the practice tracks if you need them. Also, if you are
able, please block off in your schedules Tuesday evening, May 12, and
Friday evening, May 15, for possible make-up rehearsals. I doubt we would
have rehearsal on both those days (in addition to Monday, May 11), but
please put them in your calendar. We will see where all of this takes us,
but if nothing else, some time spent with Mozart might be good for
everyone’s spirits.



To those going on the Carnegie Hall trip – we are making contacts with the
various people and groups that are affected. There is nothing new for me to
report today. The concert is still scheduled to go on. I will have an
update for you by Friday. Thank you for your patience.



Additionally, as some of you may know, the Basant Bahar performance with
Hum Sub has been rescheduled for August 9. We have been invited to
participate in that performance. We need to determine whether or not we are
able and interested in participating, and if so, to what extent. Since we
already know the music pretty well, it would be just a rehearsal or two
(likely on August 3), then the dress rehearsal and performance.



Here is a link to a survey regarding possible additional rehearsals on May
12 and/or 15, and participation in the rescheduled Basant Bahar
performance:



https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TKD9QHG



I know that right now schedules are upended, along with many other things.
Please complete the survey by Monday, March 23 and give your best estimate
in your answers.



As we go through this difficult period, I am grateful to all of you for
your time and effort in our work together making something beautiful to
share with our community. We need beauty in our lives right now. I’m
looking forward to finding the path forward in pursuit of that goal over
the next days and weeks.



Nathan

-- 



*Dr. Nathan Leaf, D.M.A.Director of Choral ActivitiesTeaching Professor
 North Carolina State University*
*Artistic Director*
*   Concert Singers of Cary*




*214 Price Music CenterCampus Box 7311Raleigh, NC 27695*

*Phone:  919.515.8280**music.arts.ncsu.edu <http://music.arts.ncsu.edu>*