Frankly absurd assumptions at this point, though I've never taken the ACDA seriously anyways. If it's safe enough to partake in other social activities as normal, it's safe enough to hold choral rehearsals (within reason). Obviously not the case right now when safety precludes us from too much close contact.

American Choral Directors' Association, presumably.

Nats? (gnats?)

Does the ACDA realize that they've just signed their own death-warrant with this? After two years there won't be any Choral Directors in America to Associate with!

They, under the cover of The Virus, have now basically given permission for schools to shut down their music programs indefinitely "because it's unsafe"---a great idea, now the chorus director's salary can be budgeted toward getting a third assistant football coach and a fancier score-board.

To say nothing of the myriad pastors and finance councils who are just champing at the bit for a way to dismiss their troublesome music directors who demand a (not very just) salary and want to do good music, and get an old biddy who can barely read treble-clef and chord symbols to volunteer to play all of the Hagen-Daasz music---if they haven't done so already, because of The Virus.

I'm with CW, and will wait for an actual medical opinion---of course that opinion all depends on who is pulling the strings in the background, but that's a different discussion. As it is, I'm sure that my Bishop* will 'take this into account' (if it gets back to him) when he draws up directives for re-opening the churches next summer. (Yes, I'm already preparing for 2020 being a Year without Christmas, and 2021 being another Year without Easter.)

*Rozanski, Springfield, MA. The one whom you may have read about on Fr. Z.: who, having given "permission" for nurses to anoint patients while priests say the formula from the doorway, then, when told by The Powers that Be that it wasn't kosher, decided to ban all sacraments, etc. until further notice: No Mass, No Confession, No Anointing/Last Rites, No Marriages, No Baptisms, No Funerals (just burial--priest, undertaker, corpse, grave-digger), No Adoration---but full-page ads in all of the newspapers saying "In these difficult times, please remember to mail-in your Sunday collection envelopes, or consider doing on-line giving."---with no mention of religion. (Yes, I'm bitter. Sue me.)

Every day offers opposite conclusions. I was just reading an article this morning saying children may be more contagious than adults despite not showing symptoms.

Catherine,

They may acquire and pass on the "virus", but they may not (themselves) get sick.

Instead of losing our minds, here’s a novel idea. Let’s treat this virus the same way we’ve treated very other sickness in history: if you’re sick STAY HOME; if you’re afraid of getting sick: STAY HOME.

I hope not, but we may have lost things like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxLbmnvMWM0

Who knows? There have been areas like New York with high infection rates, and places like my own corner of East TN where it hasn't been bad at all.

The local Episcopal cathedral has placed 6-8 or slightly more singers around their sanctuary - six feet apart, of course. They all have good voices and sing for their televised services.

WWTBD? What will the bishop do? Again, who knows? At this time, we are planning on returning for Pentecost.

My choir should be unaffected. They never open their mouths to sing anyway!

Every day offers opposite conclusions. I was just reading an article this morning saying children may be more contagious than adults despite not showing symptoms.

This has been reported for some time, e.g., in this February 2020 article: https://www.statnews.com/2020/02/27/coronavirus-kids-what-role-transmission/

If a burial doesn't bring to mind possible deadly scenarios, I don't know what does.
They should be allowed to have as many people as are willing to attend.

if you’re afraid of getting sick: STAY HOME.

Wrong(!!!) Cuomo released a random survey of 1,000 C-19 patients today. Of the 1,000, approximately TWO-THIRDS were 'sheltered at home.' They didn't travel, no subways, no work, nothing (except maybe groceries and pharmacy).

This will drive everyone nuts.

Just a thought to meditate on - from the moment you're born, you're dying. Only GOD knows your departure date, time and mode of transfer. And since He knows every hair on your head, he knows every illness you've had or will have. So, live your GOD given life to the fullest with praise, thanksgiving and love. Your life is but a twinkle in the span of eternity. Let you light shine forth and give glory to GOD.

The ACDA has been social-justice-warrior-converged for years. It was kind of them to take time from pondering the problems of transgender choral singers in order to have this presentation. And (more seriously) I'm glad they addressed the mask issue. I might as well spray down the empty 500 feet of pews below me with my auto-fire Evil Black Rifle of COVID Death.

There won't be an effective COVID vaccine for the same reason the flu vaccine is not effective: mutation. Which means there won't be choral music, ever.

Unless this culture accepts that people die, and it isn't the end.

On the whole idea of singing being a spectacular means of transmitting Wuhan flu..... does it matter what we're singing?

Case A: "Alleluia" is not explosive.
Case B: [Anything German-opera-ish] . It is said that newcomers who sit in the front row of an German opera house need to bring an umbrella.

@Chris Garton-Zavesky

I can now say it with socially justified, politically correct, global issues in mind... Down with Wagner!

But what some more reasonable people are saying is: It is far too early to declare the end of choral music. Most choirs would be done right now anyway, and not starting up again until September. A lot has happened since March, and a lot more can happen before September in terms of our understanding of the virus, treatment, spread, antibodies, percentage already affected, etc., etc.,

And I would add - nobody needs the ACDA's permission in order to have a choir. I do worry that some bishops/administrators will fixate too much on that talk, though.

As with most things COVID related, some people are taking the doom and gloom approach already. I prefer to wait and see. I think if schools start in the fall, there is no reason children's choirs won't be able to start. To think that they could spend all day together in classrooms/cafeteria/playground but singing would have to be banned is pretty silly.

FYI here in Sioux Falls-Rapid City (joint declaration from the two bishops of South Dakota): Starting Mass again May 16, with social distancing but with congregational singing, cantor, organ. Our cathedral will hold 150-180 with distancing in place. We'll see how it goes! Sunday Mass obligation still lifted, of course.

Sermons spread contagion, too. LOL

For those directors envisioning choral singing: how much leeway will be permitted for choristers to choose to absent themselves from such while they believe themselves to either pose or be at risk?

For those directors envisioning congregational singing: will you accept graciously and without resentment if congregants choose to decline to partake?

Charles,

Explore this for a second, and see how many heads start to spin:

1) Active participation is the goal to be considered at all times as the essential.
2) Singing is discouraged.
3) Holding hands is discouraged.
4) Choirs are discouraged, but cantors are encouraged.
5) Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion.....?
6) Hospitality ministers should greet each person, so as to make him feel welcome.
7) Social distance must be observed.

We can be in the choir loft, what is very handy for us is two of our cantors, are lodging with my parents. So we have a choir of 5 adults and 3 children.

We will see what happens... But I will restart choir practice soon, It is in my house! and if we are not needed for Mass we can meet up and sing Vespers and Compline together.

No more organized singing?

Does this mean the end of organum?

Organum. There you go talking about sex. LOL

Indeed not; though we should understand those words according to their real meaning: a policy of staying at home but allowing travel to food stores and drug stores does seem to have been inadequate. That isn't a really stringent quarantine policy.