TCATS #355 - The State of Choral Singing

A few months ago, I devoted a post to reviewing what was being talked about in the news in regards to choral singing. At that time, the general tone and consensus was quite negative. Article after article talked about choral groups being shutdown, professional singers struggling to make ends meet, and a very grim, long-lasting future of singers not being able to do what they love to do for years to come. 

As I watched my son's Fall Jr. High Choral Concert this past week, I was reminded that where there's a will, there's a way.

To be sure, the junior high concert was less than ideal is so many ways. The concert itself was split into two sessions to allow for more effective social distancing. These young kids were spread out to fill the stage, wearing masks, and trying desperately to sing the songs they learned without the advantage of truly hearing their fellow singers right next to them (such a task is challenging for any choral singer, but when you're 13 or 14, in the middle of puberty, and struggling with confidence, it's REALLY hard). Each of the groups performing did just one or two songs and the concert was over almost before it began (30 minutes). 

At any rate, I decided to Google "pandemic choral singing" just to see if the articles that came up had the same dismal tone to them as they did a few months ago. And you know what? The tone had changed! Changed to hope and adaptation. There was a definite statement being made by these articles. A statement that if summed up would say "We acknowledge there's a pandemic and the need to take precautions. But we are NOT going to stand idly by and do nothing. We're going to adapt and make things work and we're going to do what we love because it will not only help us, but it will uplift and inspire others."

Here are a few headlines:

• A Choir Finds a Way to Sing
• We are Going to Stay Safe and Keep Singing
• Slowly and safely, choirs are getting back together
• A choir resumes singing, with masks and after outweighing pandemic risks
• Choirs get creative to make music
• No matter the distance, we can sing together
• Philadelphia choir survives with unique outdoor performances
• They are my family; choir resumes rehearsals 

These all lifted my spirits and I'm grateful that choral groups around the world are not letting the pandemic prevent them from doing what they love to do and bringing others hope during hard times.

As for the Tabernacle Choir, there's really no news to report. Reruns of MSW continue; the Choir's official app was recently refreshed with additional content; the Christmas program from last year is on sale (CD or DVD--or if you prefer high definition, which I think you would, you can stream an HD version from Amazon); and the Choir leadership group is certainly working on what this year's Christmas program will be. 

That's it.

Until next time, God be with you.