The first week of this month in London in-person rehearsals for the Citizens of the World Choir began with an unusual instruction from director Matilda James.  "Keep your voices down.  We won't be singing any louder than we speak."  Her instruction followed the suggested guidelines from a recently completed study comparing aerosol concentrations produced by talking, singing, and breathing.  Investigators concluded that speaking and singing produce a steep rise in aerosol mass production, but that reducing the decibel level significantly reduced the aerosol load.  At the quietest volume (50 to 60 dB), neither singing nor speaking were significantly different to breathing with respect to aerosol production.  However, as the decibel volume rose to 90 to 100 dB, a significant increase in aerosol production was observed over either speaking or normal breathing.  

    Recommendations from this study are that singers should physically distance keeping a minimum of 6 feet between singers, rehearse in well ventilated areas, out of doors if possible or with open windows if rehearsing inside, and limit group singing indoors to 30 minutes or less.  Some choirs have dealt with the last suggestion by moving to a different room every 30 minutes.  These recommendations are supported by a similar study by scientists from the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Maryland.  The preliminary report from that study is a pretty interesting read. Click here

    These suggested measures are being adopted by choirs across the world as they attempt to return to in-person rehearsals amid a still-spreading coronavirus pandemic - a significant challenge after early outbreaks linked to choirs in countries including Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, South Korea and the United States suggested that collective singing might be one of the last cultural activities allowed to resume.  Even as choirs begin to cautiously return to rehearsing, risks remain. Earlier this month the entire choir of the Czech Republic's National Theater was quarantined after 10 members tested positive for the coronavirus.

    While wearing a face covering is preferred while indoors, the practicality of this precaution is a challenge for singers.  Most commercially available masks tend to collapse when the singer attempts to take the deep breaths needed to sustain a vocal line.  New masks are being developed to make singing easier, like the Singer's Mask, sold by the Broadway Relief Project.  West Virginia University's choral director has also made a version.  Continuing research will examine the effectiveness of these masks.

    In Britain, choirs have been allowed to meet indoors since Aug. 15, when the government relaxed its guidance on the recommended distance between people in group settings. On September 1, the choir of St. Paul's Cathedral in London returned to perform at services, and several other church choirs have returned for indoor rehearsals.  Time will tell.  Watch this space.