Resources on Singing in Worship Amid COVID-19
WEBINAR THAT STARTED IT ALL:
A Conversation: What Do Science and Data Say About the Near Term Future of Singing
Summary:
ACDA/NATS/ChorusAmerica/BarberShop national Pandemic webinar:
1) There is no safe way for choirs to rehearse together until there is a vaccine or 95% effective treatment in place, most likely 1-2 years. Perhaps occasionally outside in small groups, but only when the wind is not at your back. Masks and spacing DO NOT protect your singers from contagion, and singers are super-spreaders.
2) Though there may be some mitigation using a combination of UV lights and fan/atmosphere scrubbing inside, it is not 100% effective and the UV in particular may be both expensive and dangerous
3) No concerts or public performances this fall, and frankly, maybe not for 1-2 years, though we actually don’t know.
4) Once rapid testing becomes available, the possibility to rehearse with immediate testing before every rehearsal with iron-clad agreements from choir members.
5) AUDIENCE: liability insurance for your arts org. Temperature checks at the door and required masks. US government Phase THREE recommendations for actual safe return to public performances.”
ARTICLES:
Social distancing rules for singers altered following Covid transmission studies
https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/social-distancing-rules-singers-stage_52276.html
ACDA COVID-19 Response Committee Report June 15, 2020
https://acda.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/ACDA-COVID-19-Committee-Report.pdf
When and how can choirs sing again without becoming ‘super spreaders’?
When Will It Be Safe to Sing Together Again?
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/09/arts/music/choirs-singing-coronavirus-safe.html
The Risks – Know Them – Avoid Them
https://www.erinbromage.com/post/the-risks-know-them-avoid-them
Churches may reopen, but many services won’t have singing
https://apnews.com/c3bf9767c833b8ae66be22dd4fc996e6
Unprecedented International Coalition led by Performing Arts Organizations to Commission COVID-19 Study
Risk of coronavirus spreading in schools ‘extremely low’, study finds
Without choirs or bands, churches seek to provide congregants with music virtually
The pandemic shut down choirs. We’re finding new ways to sing together
Tim Sharp
Singing, the Church, and COVID-19: A Caution for Moving Forward in Our Current Pandemic
Heather R. Nelson, Ph.D.
https://www.drheathernelson.com/singingandcovid19
If We Can’t Sing
David Manner
http://kncsb.org/blogs/dmanner/if-we-cant-sing/
A choir decided to go ahead with rehearsal. Now dozens of members have COVID-19 and two are dead
https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-03-29/coronavirus-choir-outbreak
Churches Could Be the Deadliest Places in the COVID-19 Pandemic
https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/covid-19/churches-could-be-deadliest-places-covid-19-pandemic
Before You Panic . . . Thoughts on Congregational Singing and Choirs in Light of the Pandemic
Robert Pendergraft, PhD
Is Congregational Singing Dangerous?
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/congregational-singing-dangerous/
Wind Instruments May Not Be As Contagious As We Thought
Choirs May Have to Remain Silent Long After Society Reopens
https://www.pressherald.com/2020/05/09/choirs-may-have-to-remain-silent-long-after-society-reopens/
Two Scientists Pronounce Singing in Church to Be COVID Safe
https://slippedisc.com/2020/05/two-munich-scientists-pronounce-singing-to-be-covid-safe/
Full details in this German article: https://www.kath.ch/newsd/infektionsrisiko-beim-chorsingen-begrenzt/
Will COVID-19 SIlence Singers Until There’s a Vaccine
https://www.dispatch.com/news/20200511/will-covid-19-silence-singers-until-theres-vaccine
Risk of Infection Is No Reason to Stop Singing
Scott Aniol
http://artistictheologian.com/2020/05/11/risk-of-infection-is-no-reason-to-stop-singing/
High SARS-CoV-2 Attack Rate Following Exposure at a Choir Practice (CDC)
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6919e6.htm?s_cid=mm6919e6_w
