Choral Potpourri/Choral Ethics: Another Thing Postponed and Canceled

“Indeed it is better to postpone, lest either we complete too little by hurrying, or wander too long in completing it.” Tertullian

This week is normally remarkably busy for me, the week before my chamber choir’s annual summer retreat. I gather music, stuff folders and prepare handouts. I roundup schedules, language sheets and anything else I think is needed for the coming concert and rehearsal cycle. Getting materials together and consulting with my accompanist, along with a cold beverage, about what we will sight read through and what we won’t sight read through takes up a couple of afternoons during a usually hot and humid week. It is predicted to be the usual “hot and humid” week after July 4th, but nothing else will be usual.

I am okay with what this week will be—no retreat and possibly no fall concert—but can’t help notice the dates. Watching the dates whiz by no longer makes me weep. But it does cause me to think about what I’m missing, what is canceled and postponed. Yes, I will miss our special time of exploring new-to-us music with my choir. And will miss the fellowship of sharing a lovely potluck meal afterwards, catching up with everyone’s family, and ideas for our ensemble’s future. We had planned a surprise birthday celebration for our oldest singer—Althea will be 85 later this month—and now will have to celebrate another way. But I am fine with all this right now because, really, what choice do we have?

Some of you are NOT okay with postponing and cancelling and rescheduling; about once a week I hear from someone who is FURIOUS with the situation we ALL find ourselves. I try to be calming and I try to be kind but am fast approaching snapping at folks. I am not sure what I am supposed to say any longer so perhaps it’s best to say nothing. I have always made it a point to respond to ALL Choral Ethics emails I receive but think I will no longer respond to anyone who rants about the unfairness of Pandemic postponements. My own mental health is worth something.

To those of you who are angry and bitter about the Pandemic and your state or county’s restrictions; I get it, I really do. We are the ones usually in control and it is TOUGH to NOT be in control. But what can we do about something that is TRULY beyond our control? Look at it this way; if you decide to have rehearsals or concerts the regular way, going against science and even local and state orders, how will you feel if one of your singers gets sick and dies? Or when audience members end up in the ICU? You would feel awful and that’s a fact.

Some of you have told me you believe nothing will happen if you go ahead with your usual plans. That would be the ideal situation. But it’s more certain nothing will happen if you DON’T go ahead with your usual plans. That’s the point; nothing will happen, no one will get sick and all will complain nothing happened. We won’t know if what we are doing is the right thing until long after we get the “all clear.” Hold tight, we’re getting there but we’re not there yet!

Beginning next week, I’ll be sharing books I’ve been reading, concerts and lectures I’ve been streaming and other professional development things I’ve been trying to do. I’d love to hear what you are doing too, so please share in the comments.

Until next week; we well and be safe!

I am taking my Choral Ethics Blogs to my chamber choir’s Facebook page for the foreseeable future. Please join me there this morning!