[New_csc_newsline] Concluding the season

[Nathan Leaf]

Dear Concert Singers - As I write to you on the eve of our concluding
performance of this season, it is fitting to take a moment to reflect on
the year that has passed. Of course, the strangeness of this season is
first notable by the fact that I have an opportunity to do this reflecting
the day before a performance. Normally, this day is spent reflecting at a
less leisurely pace, over musical details, logistical checklists,
communication of information, and all the other things that go into making
the performance happen. But this year, for this performance, all those
things are already done. Our musical offering is already mixed, baked,
frosted, and is sitting on the counter on a fancy dish, ready to be
consumed tomorrow evening. How unusual. Yet, this is, indeed, as we've
rehearsed, where we find ourselves.

Despite the strangeness, I am also heartened. Heartened by you and your
efforts. We had a very strong level of participation throughout the year,
undertaking a musical journey in which we did not know what to expect. It
was at times tedious and challenging, and not what we are used to. People
did what they could, when they were able, and all together, we were able to
create some things of beauty during a bleak year. And that's what it is all
about. To paraphrase the recent mantra in the NC State Music Department,
every note we sang together, near or far, was a win.

As we look ahead to next season, I know there are many questions. The board
has had discussions and will continue to have discussions about how we will
proceed. We may need feedback from you at some point. It is our fervent
hope that we can be in person next season, in some form or other. Some of
the factors in play are not under our control. One example - at the present
moment, the Arts Center is not taking reservations for room usage, nor are
several of our usual alternative rehearsal locations, so we don't at this
moment have a place that we could rehearse. We do have tentative
reservations for the CAC Theatre for Holiday Pops on Dec. 11 and a spring
concert on March 26, 2022. Additionally, we are hoping to have performances
in late October of 2021, and mid May of 2022, if conditions allow and
venues are available.

We will keep you informed as the details progress over the summer. In any
case, we will plan to return to singing the Monday after Labor Day,
September 13. We will not have re-auditions for returning members, but will
likely have auditions for new singers in August. Have a great summer, and
enjoy the presentation tomorrow evening.

Nathan



-- 


*Nathan Leaf, D.M.A.Director of Choral Activities**Teaching Professor*

*Assistant Head-Music Department   North Carolina State University*
*Artistic Director*
*   Concert Singers of Cary*
*(he/him/his)*




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

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