Amateur choirs and music groups - is yours back together yet?

[CornflakeMum]

I used to play in a concert band, which obviously stopped during lockdown. There is now talk about us starting up again in a 'Coid- secure' way, but I can't see how this can happen?

• wind and brass instruments project aerosols
• it wouldn't be possible for a group of 30+ to socially distance 2m apart
• can't play and wear a mask

Are other people back playing/singing? How are you managing it?
Is it even allowed yet - which regulations apply?

Nope. I'd go back tomorrow but nobody else seems bothered so who knows when I'll get to sing again.

The government has said its allowed for choirs at least. Numbers aren't clear in that is it 30 or is it 6? Government are still to confirm how many. My choir is proceeding on the basis that 2m+ social distancing will be required, all windows open, named chairs and pre-booked seats, no toilets or coffee break, masks if you want. We don't think an indoor concert is remotely possible until next Spring, but we're hoping to do some outdoor carol singing or similar.

I recently went to an amateur opera performance outside and that was just outside with social distancing. There were just under 30 performers.

I'm not sure if my choir will be returning or in what form. I'm hoping for some smaller groups outside doing a bit of practise and learning new things, but who knows what the choir leader will decide. I don't envy them, it's so unclear that making a choice about when/hiw to restart is almost impossible.

A lot of other choirs I know of seem to be sticking to Zoom for now, which just isn't the same. I miss singing in a big group so much, it was the best bit of my week.

My large choir is going back next week with a mixture of online and "covid-secure" rehearsals in a new larger space where we can distance - we are also doing weather dependant outdoor rehearsal. My madrigal group of four of us already sing together socially distanced. I miss music.

Yes, I miss music too! Part of the problem is that a lot of the members are 60+ and possibly higher risk, as is our conductor too.

Have yoy been zooming?

The guidance on meeting only six from two households is overridden for choirs by the performing arts guidance, which now refers to non-professionals being able to meet. It also counts as a voluntary/club activity, which means up to 30.

Scientific work has established that 2m without masks for singing has no attendant raised risk.

We are starting back soon.

Just started back with socially distanced rehearsals for 30 singers max. So nice!

My DD is a peripatetic music and singing teacher and has ordered herself special masks which have some sort of a frame in them to keep them away from her face when singing.

Not going back - my conductor has sent a long email explaining why we can’t mitigate the risk enough (large choir, hall isn’t big enough to SD and is hard to ventilate, vast majority of the choir are over 60 and many are in their late 70s or 80s). I miss it so much.

No. I really miss singing and feel I might never do it again. At Christmas I might just stand in my drive and sing carols!

I really miss singing with the choir I am in. I don't know how we will meet up again as we are huge and we have many older frailer members. We are doing on line but not zooming often and when we do we can't hear each other so it's all a bit rubbish really.

We had our first rehearsal at thr end of July, outside on the village green. About 25 musicians. Family groups sat close to each other (even with different instruments, curious dynamics!), flutes all down one side behind each other to not blow on anyone else, all at very carefully measured 2m distance. It was incredible.

We attempted an indoor rehearsal but the room was too small and difficult to ventilate, searching for a bigger venue. We'll be really really good by the time we get chance to perform in front of an audience again.

I'm part of a small group which meet in people's homes. The 30 singers max applies in a venue following approved Covid guidelines. Those who have felt happy have been meeting outdoors in a members garden; as the weather continues to get worse we will meet in a village hall - 5 of us in a hall meant for 50 should be able to be made safe.

A larger group I belong to has just arranged its first workshop for the autumn - for string players only. Singing and woodwinds perhaps in the spring.

The minimum is that we need to adhere to guidelines - the ones for music have a lot of research behind them - but we also have to do whatever the group is happy with. There's no point having a workshop run according to guideline if a lot of people are still not happy to be out and about.

Scientific work has established that 2m without masks for singing has no attendant raised risk. That's true for droplet transmission but there's still aerosol transmission. The guidelines here state a need for improved ventilation, over and above what we are used to in "normal" times

OK - anyone have a clue how the new Rule of Six will apply to music groups?

We can meet in a Covid secure venue etc, but it seems that 'hobby-based' groups simply aren't mentioned in the latest breakdown of the guidance?

My DC sings in a youth choir and they are due to start back this week. They've said that's still the plan even with the new 6 person rule.

DH plays in a band, no plans to return yet.

I've looked at the exemptions and it looks like the return is off The limit is 6 for adult choirs so that puts paid to any more rehearsals while that's in place, especially as many of our members are elderly. Back to Zoom😱

DS2 started back in his youth choir last weekend (50 plus singers in a large space with social distancing).
Not sure if it will continue following the latest update - wait and see...
My understanding is that the 30 people limit is for 'social events' - churches etc. can have larger numbers of people subject to distancing rules.