Chorus North Shore Singers,
We have finally reached the point for which we have all been waiting. The results of the survey sent in late October enabled us to establish specific criteria that would allow CNS singers to comfortably return to rehearsal and performing. For those who confirmed you would be joining CNS as requested in CNS’s November and December Monthly updates, rehearsals will begin in early March with a tentative June performance. The current chorus limit was capped on a first come first serve basis. If you recall from our January update, 60 voices were the maximum number of individuals the Ipswich High School choral room could accommodate based on a three-foot safe distancing policy established from CDC recommendations. We now have a waitlist for others wishing to sing. Anyone wishing to register for the waitlist can do so by contacting Annmarie Baldisserotto at ab869@outlook.com.
The board spent a considerable amount of time deciding what variables would allow singers to comfortably return; vaccinations with boosters, full time masks and a maximum of 60 singers were some of the measures put in place. Ultimately the safety of every single individual involved in rehearsal was what framed the decision making. It was understood the some would not return because their concerns were not met.
Our intent was not to be exclusionary; it is our fervent hope that Chorus North Shore will return stronger than ever. We see CNS as more than those singing in any one concert. It is a large group of people who do a myriad of things to keep the chorus thriving; from providing financial support, to manning the ticket table, to delivering the risers to our performance venue. It is not uncommon for non-singers to perform many of the tasks that go into creating a successful performance. We are in great need of volunteers, both non-singers and singers, to help fill the rolls of those many tasks. Our short-term success will determine our long-term future.
With the coming of March, we will once again carry on the tradition of community based choral music. The covid-19 pandemic may have temporarily silenced our voices, it may have reduced our numbers for the moment, but it has not diminished our desire to join together in song. We are confident with the support of the CNS family we will be back bigger and better than ever.
Anyone who would like to join in making our upcoming performance a success can volunteer by contacting Marya Machart, at maryamachart@gmx.com.
Stay Well,
Donn Kurjan
President, Board of Trustees