With only a week to go before finally returning to the Tabernacle to sing again, members of the Tabernacle Choir were essentially given a "just kidding!" notice on Friday. It came as no surprise. I had heard earlier in the week that the multicultural choir that was going to sing at one of the October 2021 sessions of conference was essentially cut in half to allow for increased social distancing while singing. And from a common sense perspective, how would it look if the Choir resumed normal practices and performances when the First Presidency has been urging masks and distancing again? That wouldn't fly.
Still, even with anticipating another delay, it was sad to hear.
All of the details regarding the delay can be found HERE. I just have a few things I wanted to comment on.
First, the Choir IS returning to the Tabernacle this coming Thursday not to sing, but to attend a mini-devotional to honor the outgoing Choir President (Pres. Jarrett) and to officially welcome Bro. and Sis. Leavitt as the new presidents. I have mixed feelings about attending. Mainly because our return to the Tabernacle was supposed to be to sing and resume our musical missionary callings. Now we'll be going back for a different reason, and we won't even get to be physically close to each other or see each other's faces. That said, I'm still planning to go--mainly so that I can sincerely show my thanks to President Jarrett and all he did for the Choir during his tenure.
Second, I have some deep concerns about how things will look when we DO go back to sing, after reading this:
"During the delay in the resumption of rehearsals, Choir leadership in consultation with a distinguished team of scientists, physicians, and public health experts will be completing a detailed set of policies and operating procedures. This Choir COVID Plan is designed to make rehearsing and performing as safe as reasonably possible while pandemic conditions continue. Choir leaders anticipate that online training in Choir COVID Plan procedures will be conducted in early to mid-September with the implementation of these procedures shortly thereafter to permit resumption of rehearsals for planned Choir participation in the Church’s October general conference."
Will we need to distance and wear masks when rehearsing?
Will we be split into smaller groups?
Will we have staggered starts and stops to avoid crowding the hallways and dressing rooms?
Most importantly, will the Choir experience still be familiar enough from a physical, social, and spiritual connected-ness standpoint that my love of being a part of it, prevails?
Giving credit where credit is due, I AM thankful that at least the Church is coming up with a plan to get the Choir back together. Because in all reality, it's likely that another covid variant is just around the corner. And the sooner society (and the Church) just learns to live with covid (like we live with other viruses and health threats), the sooner we can start to truly live again without this emotional yo-yo or roller-coaster of delays, false starts, intrusive adjustments, and unmet expectations.
Until next time, God be with you.
No comments:
Post a Comment