Friends and prospective members of the Victoria Arion Male Choir:
I write on behalf of the VAMC Executive to inform you of our plans for our return to rehearsals next month. In all of our planning we give first priority to the safety and comfort of choir members. We have studied carefully the regulations and recommendations of the Provincial Health Officer, and we have learned much from the advice of the BC Choral Federation. Our current plan is to return to weekly in-person rehearsals (led by our Music Director Sean Lampard-Quicke), beginning on Monday, 13 September, at 7:00 pm. The first two rehearsals will be held at Gateway Baptist Church, 898 Royal Oak Avenue. We are meeting with officials at that church to finalize our plans. A decision on where to rehearse after 20 September will be taken later; Cordova Bay United Church remains an option.
There will be strict protocols for participation in in-person rehearsals. A Safety Plan has been drafted and the final version will be sent to you very soon. The rules will include the following. Participants will be required to present proof of full vaccination (two shots completed at least seven days prior to the first rehearsal). All singers must wear a mask throughout the rehearsal. Singers’ masks are encouraged, with some disposable singers’ masks to be provided by the choir at the first rehearsals. All masks should meet BC CDC recommendations. Rehearsals will take place in a large sanctuary, with singers at appropriate distances from each other. The duration of rehearsals will be limited and there will be regular breaks.
For those who are not able to participate in in-person rehearsals, we plan to offer a remote connection so that it is possible to participate via Zoom from your home. This option will be available for the whole season if members wish.
The choir is very keen to welcome new members! The first rehearsals will include singing as well as introductions and discussions of our plans for the season. We regret that we cannot at this time continue with our tradition of a social gathering, with refreshments, to welcome new members. The welcome will, nevertheless, be warm and sincere.
It is essential that we know who will be attending our first rehearsals. Please confirm by email
([email protected]) if you plan to attend the first in-person rehearsals on 13 and 20 September. Please indicate which section you wish to join: tenor, baritone, bass. Please indicate also if you prefer to attend these rehearsals via Zoom.
If you know of others who might be interested in joining the choir, please ask them to contact me.
Eric W Sager, Secretary, VAMC.
28 August 2021.
Jim Johnson
Marketing Committee Chair
Victoria Arion Male Choir