April 10 Update

We have now completed the fourth week of online programming and are grateful to be connected with you in this time. From Zoom sight-singing lessons to unforgettable virtual choir performances, your love for music and each other is palpable and inspiring. While we are hopeful that we will be reunited in rehearsal and performance, the current challenges of the pandemic require adjusted plans for the immediate future. Please review all the details below, and let us know if you have any questions via info@bostonchildrenschorus.org.

Future In Person Programming Suspension: As long as Boston Public Schools remains closed, BCC will suspend in-person programming. During this time, BCC will continue to offer online programming. BCC will be closed for in person programming until, at least, May 4.

BCC Online: BCC online programming will be available as long as in-person programming is suspended and will be offered with the current schedule until the end of May. If needed, we will share a modified, leaner schedule in June. BCC Online offers four major forms of programming: Mini-lessons, individual voice lessons, virtual choirs, and the Listen In series. Mini-lessons involve sight-singing, repertoire review, and time for ensemble check-ins. Voice lessons offer singers a chance to improve their vocal and performance technique in an individualized setting, while virtual choir videos showcase favorite anthems from the BCC canon. This week, one-on-one voice lessons were opened to intermediate choir singers, and we were thrilled to see so many of you connecting for additional support. On Monday, April 13, we will release resources for BCC's next virtual choir project: Ain't No Mountain High Enough. We are proud to see singers from every level at BCC confidently share their solo singing videos for this collective project.

Final Concert: We are holding alternate performance dates at the Strand Theater. If we continue to practice social distancing through the end of May, please hold June 19 as an alternative concert date. If large convenings are discouraged through the end of June, please hold July 11 as the final concert date. Regardless of the date, the final concert will be presented with a more relaxed, family-friendly approach. The performance will feature repertoire programmed for PD, Rockport, and ISGM concerts, along with songs from our virtual choir setlist. If in-door performances through the end of July are unsafe for the community, we will plan for an outdoor gathering later in the summer or early fall. Rehearsals and performances form the backbone of the choral experience, and while we are unsure of the immediate future, we are committed to celebrating the work of our singers prior to and during the COVID crisis.

BCC Summer: At this time, BCC Summer is slated to continue as planned. The first week of BCC Summer will run from July 27 through July 31, with Ms. Idicheria. The second week, with Mr. Pratt, will run from August 3 - 7. If BCC Summer is canceled due to continued social distancing, registered participants will be refunded.

Sincerely,
The BCC Team

April  4 Update

Dear Singers and Families,

The COVID-19 crisis has brought on unprecedented challenges for many in our community. Worries about job security, money for food, rent, and other bills have been exacerbated in recent weeks. And, these worries, along with social isolation and social inequities, may be impacting our mental health and ability to access wellness support. While BCC lacks the resources and expertise to provide direct services in any of the areas listed above, we would like to share information compiled by our friends and colleagues.

• Camp Harbor View shared this comprehensive list of supports for families and individuals.
• Rahn Dorsey, BCC board member, is working with key community leaders to compile this list of resources for Boston families.

We understand that the practice of social distancing, while essential, has left many youth and families battling feelings of isolation and grief. In the coming weeks, BCC conductors and staff will call families individually to check-in and connect. We are here for you, and as we are able, we will provide a listening ear and encouragement.
In Solidarity,

The BCC Team

March 13 Update

Dear Singers and Families,

At this time of uncertainty, Boston Children’s Chorus renews its commitment to our community: We will respond creatively to the challenges presented by COVID-19 to safely provide our singers and families with innovative programs which uphold our values of artistry, diversity, inclusion, empathy, and inquiry.

While we have a plan for progress in the next week that includes continuing our work together (see below for your role!) we are mindful of the precedent set by many area school systems, government agencies, educational and cultural institutions. As such, BCC has made the decision to pause its in-person programming through March 21st as we play our part in contributing to the wider community effort to contain and mitigate the virus. During this time:

• No on-site rehearsals or performances will take place
• BCC Offices will also be closed, and staff are working from home 9am – 5pm, Monday-Friday.

Throughout this next week, we will keep channels of communication open with a range of experts and organizational partners, who will continue to advise us as the situation develops. We will monitor and accept guidance from local public health authorities, and will make and communicate a decision regarding the week commencing March 23rd by 12:00pm on Friday March 20th.

Please email info@bostonchildrenschorus.org if you have any questions or concerns.

In the meantime, we have work to do! Please see below for our revised plan for advancing BCC and student progress during this temporary hiatus.

Self Directed Programming:
BCC is committed to continued engagement with our singers and is exploring ways we can continue instruction online. We expect students to set aside time next week to advance their learning through self-directed rehearsal, along the lines of the below. Look out for an email on Monday, March 16th with specific details on how you and your singers can stay active musically, even if we aren’t in the same classroom!
 

Training Choirs:

• Learning tracks to “Count on Me” and “Crowded Table”.
• Opportunities for online engagement in the creation of a virtual choir recording.
• 10-minute instructional sessions on music reading and short song learning.

Intermediate Choirs:

• Learning tracks to “Landslide” and “Crowded Table”.
• Opportunities for online engagement in the creation of a virtual choir recording.
• 10-minute instructional sessions on music reading and short song learning.

Advanced Choirs:

• Opportunities for online engagement in the creation of a virtual choir recording.
• Youth Advisory Council to meet digitally with Ms. Idicheria.
• 15-minute online voice lessons by appointment. Stay tuned for a sign-up sheet.

Confirmations of Concert Cancellations:
Yesterday we wrote to confirm that the following performances will not be taking place in March/April:

• Professional Development Day – March 21st
• Three Trebles Festival – April 5th

Additionally to this, the following two concerts will not take place due to both venues canceling upcoming events:

• Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum – April 4th. Refunds for ticket buyers are available through the ISGM.
• Rockport – April 25th. Refunds for ticket buyers are available through the Shalin Liu Performance Center.

Where possible, we are working with our partner venues to identify new dates for BCC’s performances. Where this is not possible, we will work to ensure that work is not wasted, and that there will be opportunities to perform all the songs we have been working on. We are proud of the strength of our community, and together we strive to achieve our mission.

If you have any follow up questions, please contact info@bostonchildrenschorus.org.

Best wishes,

The BCC Team

March 11 Update

Dear BCC Community,

Boston Children’s Chorus will not meet for rehearsal this evening, March 12 or Saturday, March 14. A decision regarding rehearsals for the week of March 16-21 will be made and announced by Saturday, March 14.

We are using this time to seek counsel from health professionals and government agencies to decide the best plan of action to ensure the continued safety and wellbeing of the singers and families we serve.

Importantly, we are adhering to state recommendations to suspend large gatherings until further guidance is provided by state health agencies.

As such:

• We are postponing Weathering Time: 12th Annual Weekend of Professional Development and Song to a later date, TBD. We recognize this is an important concert for our Training and Intermediate Choirs, and we are actively making plans to showcase the hard work of our singers on an alternate date. Refunds for purchased tickets will be processed through Eventbrite. If you wish to donate the amount of your ticket, please visit our website.
• Boston Children’s Chorus, the Princeton Girl Choir, and Children’s Chorus of Washington have historically co-produced a festival of treble voices. We have been in close contact with our colleagues in both organizations, and have come to the collective decision to cancel this year’s Three Trebles Festival. We look forward to hosting the festival in Boston during our 2020-21 season.

Thank you for reaching out with questions and concerns. We understand that there is a high level of uncertainty at this time. We remain committed to calm yet decisive action.

Sincerely,