[Choir] good news and bad news

[Donia Prince]

Hi everyone!

My good news is that I have indeed tested negative.

The bad news is the extraordinarily high numbers in Vermont for 2 days in a
row now.  591 cases yesterday and 505 cases today.  Washington County,
while not part of the worst of the spike, is also elevated from what had
started to feel like a downward trend.

*So, sadly, in-person choir will go on a temporary hiatus until after
Thanksgiving,* at which point we will re-evaluate.  This feels like the
only safe and responsible thing to do.  Not just because of the numbers
themselves, but because they are not tied to specific, known outbreaks, at
schools or prisons or as a result of specific events, but indicative of
general community spread.  I'm hearing of too many people like you and me
who are having close contacts, if not themselves actually getting
covid.    *Obviously,
no rehearsal tomorrow, Saturday.*

*What does this mean for us?*
I know, the timing could hardly be more unfortunate (I refrain from using
more graphic language!). Between us finally moving to the vestry, and
having 2 big pieces which we have worked so hard on to record this week.
 For this Sunday's service I have found a substitute video to use in place
of the choir offering.  For next week, I have  a plan for how at least some
of us can still at least partially participate in presenting that piece.
I'll send more details on that shortly--I have a meeting to go to but want
to get this sent off.

*Next Thursday I would like to have a zoom rehearsal *in which we begin to
learn parts for some new music, which we will hopefully be able to sing in
person!   I thought we might also just sing through the Lacrimosa and the
Hamilton, along to recordings (in the latter case, recordings of us.). Just
so we can send those pieces off properly (sort of!).   I completely
understand that for some of you  zoom just isn't an option.  In our best
case scenario, this will be a one week only thing!

In even the worst case scenario, this won't be just an open-ended stop to
in-person singing.  I know we will be back together soon!   Also, we may go
back to using some small groups for specific hymns, etc.  More to come on
all of this.

Stay safe, everyone, and continue to be your wonderful, flexible, resilient
selves.  See you soon!

Donia
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