People and Places Culture
FOR CHORAL GROUPS,
Community is Core
By Rebecca Gulick A chorus is all about gatherings—people in very close proximity, breathing together and joining their voices in song. Gatherings are how the art form is produced and experienced. So in March an eerie quiet fell upon local choruses as the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 began wreaking havoc on life as we know it. With tight restrictions on gatherings, choral groups such as VOENA Children’s Choir, Solano Community College Chorus, and Vallejo Choral Society faced the painful decision to cancel rehearsals, concerts, and entire seasons. But there’s something else that defines a choir—community—and that has not been silenced. Choral groups are finding innovative ways to keep their communities intact and their musical bonds strong, thanks to their determined and resourceful directors and stewards.
The Pandemic’s Toll on Performing Arts Organizations This spring VOENA would have debuted “Voices of Love,” a concert about all aspects of love—relationships, friendships, self-love, hardships, and loss, according to Annabelle Marie, VOENA Founder and Director. “The kids were so excited for this concert! Now with this social distancing, our theme of love has taken on new meaning.” VOENA singers are missing the ensemble, that irreplaceable in-person musical experience of singing together. “Music is especially important to bridge that emotional connection they so desperately need right now,” Marie explained. “They are lonely and isolated and missing each other. This worries me, as for many of these kids, VOENA is the highlight of their week and their sanctuary. We have a special connectedness with these kids that they have with each other. For some, it’s becoming a huge void that is leading to depression.” Canceling rehearsals and concerts is not only heartbreaking for the singers and disappointing for audiences, it takes a financial toll on performing arts
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organizations, which already operate on narrow margins. No doubt, the loss of concert revenue and membership will be financially devastating for many. “We are very nervous right now and trying to have a hopeful attitude that it all will work out,” Annabelle Marie said. In addition to the support for VOENA’s operations and scholarships, funding for its workshops in Benicia schools is also jeopardized. Sharing similar concerns, a first order of business for the Vallejo Choral Society board of directors’ March meeting was to ensure its two staff would be paid in full through
