Choir Directors urge government to rethink singing restrictions

[MrGongGong]

Q: does Dominic Cummings play any instrument apart from his own or Boris's trumpet?
Because otherwise, I cannot see this govt thinking the Arts matter enough.

Sadly, I think they, (and most people ?) don't think culture matters at all.
If we are to avoid losing many of the things we regard as important we have to do some radical stuff which isn't going to wash with those in power.

[DracoM]

....................Which means we're getting back to the 18th century way of the Arts being sustained ONLY by rich patrons with equally wealthy invitees?
Crikey
So...........thank goodness for R3 and streaming.

[jonfan]

Have we had a PM since Edward Heath who's been interested in the Arts for its own sake? Only if it hurts financially is it taken notice of so if all the theatres remain closed in the West End for the rest of 2020 then the knock on effect on restaurants, hotels, etc. might grab the attention.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Smaller choirs might be a way forward, too.

That should open up a can of worms! Auditioned choirs could just raise the bar a little and unceremoniously boot a few out. A new kind of Covid-19 victim?
Non-auditioned choirs would be even more difficult. Even with maximum of diplomacy and sensitivity, it would require choirs to re-examine their finances, as the general system is to pay the MD by charging members a subscription, so larger choirs are often more viable.

[ardcarp]

...or in the pro world we might get a group called The Two.

[DracoM]

Salisbury Cath Choir helping Porton Down to assess the prob of breathing out in public while singing - for Covid.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I can't help feeling that the whole coronavirus mess is so riddled with inconsistencies that historians of the future will not believe that parents could be fined for not sending their children to school out of concern for their safety, yet a small wedding party in a spacious church were not allowed to sing.

https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/weddings/government-guidelines-on-post-lockdown-weddings-england-a4483366.html

Singing must be one of the healthiest pursuits devised by the human race.

[MrGongGong]

Singing must be one of the healthiest pursuits devised by the human race.

Hummmm

Of the people I know who have had the virus
more than half are singers
which obviously means that

singing will kill you..... or maybe says something about the people I know ?
none of them play the spoons professionally
none of them are electroacoustic composers
but one of them is a rather famous collector of vintage synthesisers

[jonfan]

Hummmm

Of the people I know who have had the virus
more than half are singers
which obviously means that

singing will kill you..... or maybe says something about the people I know ?
none of them play the spoons professionally
none of them are electroacoustic composers
but one of them is a rather famous collector of vintage synthesisers

I know of a large choir that has had a least two deaths from their tenor section and several more taken ill, that was back in late February. It’s easy to see how the virus is passed on in a crowded room exhaling for about two hours next to the same two people.

[oddoneout]

Sadly, I think they, (and most people ?) don't think culture matters at all.
If we are to avoid losing many of the things we regard as important we have to do some radical stuff which isn't going to wash with those in power.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) helps to drive growth, enrich lives and promote Britain abroad.

We protect and promote our cultural and artistic heritage and help businesses and communities to grow by investing in innovation and highlighting Britain as a fantastic place to visit. We help to give the UK a unique advantage on the global stage, striving for economic success.

Well football's halfway back and the meeja is doing great things for the government so no need to worry - and who believes mission statements anyway?
I hadn't realised the extent of the gulf between what DDCMS says its for and what actually happens - or rather doesn't.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Hummmm

Of the people I know who have had the virus
more than half are singers
which obviously means that

singing will kill you..... or maybe says something about the people I know ?
none of them play the spoons professionally
none of them are electroacoustic composers
but one of them is a rather famous collector of vintage synthesisers

Conversely, of all the many singers I know, none has the virus. However, as a reliable international statistic, I don't suppose either of our experiences would count for much.

[cloughie]

Conversely, of all the many singers I know, none has the virus. However, as a reliable international statistic, I don't suppose either of our experiences would count for much.

Of all the many singers I know none have had the virus but then none have met since the middle of March!

[choralmike]

That should open up a can of worms! Auditioned choirs could just raise the bar a little and unceremoniously boot a few out. A new kind of Covid-19 victim?
Non-auditioned choirs would be even more difficult. Even with maximum of diplomacy and sensitivity, it would require choirs to re-examine their finances, as the general system is to pay the MD by charging members a subscription, so larger choirs are often more viable.

Unfortunately many amateur choirs are populated by the most vulnerable to Covid-19 because of their age and health.

[DracoM]

<< I hadn't realised the extent of the gulf between what DDCMS says its for and what actually happens - or rather doesn't.>>

Spot on. In whose hands are they really? Hmm...........

[WolfPaul]

A possible chink of light in an otherwise very dark tunnel? Revised government guidance states the following:

Small groups of professional or non-professional singers will be able to sing in front of worshippers both outdoors and indoors from 15 August. Singing in groups should be limited to a small set group of people and should not include audience participation

Source:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-places-of-worship-during-the-pandemic-from-4-july/covid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-places-of-worship-during-the-pandemic-from-4-july

Sorry if this has already been posted - haven't seen it.