[New_csc_newsline] Reminder: The Concert Singers of Cary Choral Notes– Board letter to the CSC membership

[Thom Haynes]

Greetings everyone!!! It's been two weeks since this was originally sent.
The 'take action by' request date is Sept 6.

NOTE: I have also made the following available in a better-formatted
version at this web page:
https://concertsingers.org/board-letter-to-the-csc-membership/

You can read it there, or read the exact same info in the ‘basic’ listserv
email format below :)

Thom

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A letter from the CSC Board of Directors:

Dear singers,

We hope this message finds you and your families safe and healthy. It
contains important information from the CSC Board about the Fall 2021
season, so please read to the end.

First, we would like to thank the 115 members who participated in the CSC
Fall 2021 survey, conducted at the end of July. We were overwhelmed by your
willingness to be candid in your responses in order to help us plan for
rehearsals and performances this fall. The high response rate, along with
the significant efforts so many of you put forth to rehearse and record
over the last year, demonstrate your strong commitment to CSC and our
mission to enrich the community and support the performing arts through
outstanding choral music.

The CSC Board of Directors has reviewed the feedback provided via the
survey along with CDC guidelines and the current COVID-19 protocols for the
Town of Cary Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Facilities.
https://www.townofcary.org/recreation-enjoyment/facilities/prcr-indoor-facilities-know-before-you-go
The board has also reviewed the findings of the International Coalition of
Aerosols in Performing Arts study,
https://nafme.org/international-coalition-performing-arts-aerosol-study-updates-guidelines-for-music-education-classrooms/
and guidance from our peers and professional organizations, including
Chorus America and the American Choral Directors Association.

With this information in mind, and with safety of our singing members, paid
staff, and patrons being our top priority, the CSC Board of Directors has
decided the following for our 2021-2022 season:

- All CSC rehearsals and our one planned performance (December Holiday
Pops) will take place in-person and indoors. We do not plan to offer a
virtual (Zoom) option for participating.

- To reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19, all singers/staff must be
fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (considered at least two weeks since
final dose) and provide proof of vaccination prior to participating in any
rehearsals; i.e. original vaccination card, copy of vaccination card,
picture of vaccination card prior to arrival at their first rehearsal.

- Additionally, all singers/staff will be required to wear masks for all
indoor rehearsals and performances through the end of 2021.

- Proof of vaccination requirement and mask requirement will apply for any
singers wishing to participate from September to December 2021.

- Registration will also require acknowledgement of rehearsal protocols and
liability waiver as described here:
https://concertsingers.org/concert-singers-of-cary-covid-19-waiver-and-protocol-2021-22-season/

The CSC Board and Artistic Director are committing to these protocols
through the end of 2021 unless circumstances beyond our control require us
to be more restrictive. Due to the nature of rehearsals, we are unable to
provide exclusions to these restrictions, but we will review these
restrictions in November for the spring 2022 portion of our season.

We will ensure that the singing space is appropriate for the number of
people participating, including singer spacing, room air exchange, and
rehearsal length. Singers should expect that rehearsals will be shorter in
length than normal. A more precise schedule will be communicated prior to
the first rehearsal. Our first rehearsal will be September 20. There will
not be a rehearsal on September 13.

Next steps:

To enable our Artistic Director, Nathan Leaf, to finalize decisions about
repertoire, performances, and rehearsal space and location, we request that
singers planning to participate in the Fall 2021 portion of the season
register by September 6th by taking the following steps:

Step 1: Submit membership dues at
https://concertsingers.org/members/paypal-links/
Our 2021-21 annual dues remain $100. If you prefer to pay dues by check,
please make it out to 'CSC' and mail it c/o Laura Moore, CSC Executive
Director, 614 Morgan Creek Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27517.

Step 2: Click on this Google form
https://forms.gle/Hz7QHD6oc8HyUUko8
to submit proof of vaccination and waiver acceptance. The form will offer
you the option to upload an e-copy of your vaccination card or to indicate
that you will mail a hardcopy to Laura Moore, CSC Executive Director, 614
Morgan Creek Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 by September 13th.  If you have not
provided proof of full vaccination by September 13th, we will be asking for
your copy at the first rehearsal on Sept 20th.

If you are not planning to participate in the fall, we certainly
understand; please email Thom and let him know. He'll pass that info on to
Nathan and your section leader. Feel free to offer any comments you would
like us to see.

More information/helpful resources:

We will be following the International Coalition study protocols.  This
three-minute video “COVID-19 Mitigation Strategies for Choir,”
https://youtu.be/aesWEkmHYYc
provides a clear and concise explanation of those protocols. Since this
video was made, the coalition has provided minor updates regarding spacing
and rehearsal length.

Here is a link to guidance about masks
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/effective-masks.html
that will work for our rehearsals. Face shields, bandanas, and neck gaiters
are not acceptable alternatives to face masks. Nathan will follow up this
email with some suggested masks that are specifically designed for singing.

Here is a helpful link to guidance about singing while wearing a mask.
https://choralnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/A-Vocalist-Guide-to-Singing-with-a-Mask.pdf

The CSC Board appreciates that our members hold diverse views on the need
for and best practices regarding COVID safety measures. We value every
member and the contributions each of you brings to the choir. However,
given the present challenging circumstances, we believe our approach
represents an informed, reasonable approach to help us fulfil our mission
in the safest environment possible for everyone. We are utilizing many
resources to guide us and will continue to stay up-to-date on the latest
scientific and best practices information issued by public health experts.
We all look forward to the day when these protocols are not needed, but in
the meantime, we sincerely look forward to seeing you in September to make
beautiful music together again!