Singing in the Time of

Corona Virus

          As you all know by now, back in early March, the RCS choruses made the decision to suspend rehearsals and to postpone our spring concerts until we have gotten to the other side of COVID-19.  As it turns out, our decision was the right one and here is an example of why.  With the corona virus quickly spreading in Washington state in early March, leaders of the Skagit Valley Chorale, a 100+ member community chorus in Mount Vernon, debated whether to go ahead with weekly rehearsals.  On Thursday, March 6, they decided to do so because there were no reported cases locally, schools were still open, and prohibitions on large gatherings had not yet been announced.  Sixty singers showed up met at the door by a greeter with hand sanitizer.  No one shook hands.  After two hours the singers parted ways at 9 PM.  By the end of March 45 of those singers had been diagnosed with the virus or were ill with symptoms.  Three were hospitalized and two had died.  The youngest infected singer was 31; the average age of those infected was 67.  By the following Sunday, 99 people in Skagit Valley had tested positive for COVID-19.  When interviewed, none of the singers reported any coughing or sneezing during the rehearsal, and all reported that no one appeared ill.  The singers came with their own sheet music and avoided direct physical contact.  Some members helped set up or remove folding chairs.  Sound familiar?  This rehearsal scenario is repeated in choruses large and small all across the country.  

    This outbreak is consistent with the growing body of evidence that this virus can be transmitted through aerosols - particles smaller than 5 micrometers that can float in the air for minutes or longer depending on location.  A UCLA infectious disease researcher said that it is possible that the forceful breathing action of singing dispersed viral particles into the room that were then widely inhaled by other singers.  Linsey Marr, an environmental engineer at Virginia Tech and an expert on airborne transmission of viruses, believes that some people are especially good at exhaling fine material, producing 1000 times more than others.  Marr concluded that this choir's virus outbreak should be a powerful warning to the public.

    We are grateful for the leadership of the RCS board and our artistic directors in keeping our choirs and our audiences safe during this time of uncertainty.   Our planned spring concerts will go on when this is over, regardless of the season.  In the meantime, as a friend of the RCS you are well aware that our choruses are funded and staffed largely by volunteers, donations, and ticket sales.  This spring, we will come up short in ticket sales alone by $6,000.  Since there will be no concerts, we will have to rely on your memory of our work and on your generosity to raise the money we'll need to function when we are able to gather again to sing.  The RCS will be grateful for your support and you'll insure wonderful choral music in our area for another year and beyond.

    Donation is easy and you may contribute as little as $5.  If you would have purchased a ticket for our spring concert, a $15 donation will do just as well.  Donate on our website, www.rcs.org, by clicking on the DONATE button, or you may donate by texting the keyword SINGON to 1-844-844-6844.  You will receive a reply text with a link to donate.  And, as always, you may send your contribution via a check to The Rockbridge Choral Society, PO Box 965, Lexington VA  24450.

    We thank you.  Stay safe, stay healthy, and rejoice in the beauties of spring.  We'll see you on the other side!