Panorama image of the Brockville Community Choir in concert. The Brockville Community Choir

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President’s Message – Jan. 2023

Dear Brockville Community Choir Members and Interested Singers

Welcome to a new year and a new choir session! We are excited to continue rehearsals with our Artistic Director Dianne Baird and Collaborative Artist Madelyn Mensen and looking forward to our next concert on the last Sunday of May. The purpose of this message is to provide you with information to guide your decision-making with regard to continuing with, returning to or joining the BCC. 

First and foremost, the executive wishes to ensure that the choir feels safe and confident at rehearsals. We recognize that a number of protocols will need to be in effect.  

Rehearsals will take place at St. Lawrence Anglican Church, 80 Pine Street, Brockville. This venue has recently had a major renovation to its HVAC system with improved air circulation, filtering and cleaning.

Registration for membership is Wednesday February 1st, 2022 at 6:30 pm in the church hall followed by the first rehearsal at 7:00 pm. Rehearsals will take place in the church proper each Wednesday from 7 pm to 9:30 pm. The concert date is the afternoon of Sunday, May 28th. The concert program will consist of British, Canadian & American Popular Music with guests Chris Coyea, Alex Fleuriau Chateau and the Great Music Guys with James MacKenzie. Of course, our rehearsals are subject to public health guidelines and our ability to achieve necessary restrictions/protocols.  

At registration, new singers will be required to provide proof of COVID vaccination as a condition of membership. Choir members are expected to keep up-to-date with all vaccinations for which they qualify. Masking and appropriate distancing will be in force for all indoor choir activities. Interested singers who have yet to join the choir will be required to show proof of COVID vaccination before they participate in their first rehearsal. Prospective members may attend three rehearsals prior to joining the choir.

Before each rehearsal, members will do a COVID self-assessment and sign in. Singers ought not to attend rehearsals if they have COVID, influenza-like or cold-like symptoms. 

Membership dues will remain: Individuals at $100 per session; Couples – $175; Students – free.

As we continue to rebuild the choir, I encourage you to share this communication widely and invite interested singers to join the Choir.

In closing, we hope that this information assists you as you consider continuing with, returning to or joining the Brockville Community Choir and we look forward to welcoming you on February 1st.

Take care
Barry O’Brien
BCC President

COVID-19 Protocols for Membership

All indoor choir activities require masking and appropriate distancing.

REGISTRATION

When registering for a session, have available your

COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination

Choir members are required to keep up-to-date
with all vaccinations for which they qualify.

The current minimum requirement is
2 vaccinations and 1 booster.

NOTE: We keep no record or copy of the
Proof of Vaccination.

CHOIR REHEARSALS, MEETINGS & PERFORMANCES

Signing in for a rehearsal, meeting or performance confirms your attendance and your response of NO to all of the following Screening Self-Assessment questions:

– In the last 14 days have you traveled outside the country?

– In the last 10 days have you been in close contact with anyone who is known to have COVID-19 or any symptoms of COVID-19?

– Have you experienced any of the following symptoms in the past 48 hours that are NEW or WORSE?
_____ Fever or Chills (Temp. 37.8 C and above)
_____ Cough (barking cough, croup cough)
_____ Shortness of Breath
_____ Loss of taste or Smell
_____ Muscle Ache / Joint Pain
_____ EXTREME tiredness

2022 President’s Message

Dear BCC and Interested Singers

The Choir executive met recently to consider next steps for the choir. We are excited to be resuming rehearsals with our Artistic Director Dianne Baird and looking forward to presenting concerts. The purpose of this email is to provide you with information to guide your own decision-making with regard to returning to or joining the BCC. 

First and foremost, the executive wishes to ensure that the choir feels safe and confident at rehearsals. We recognize that a number of protocols will need to be in effect.  

Rehearsals and the Fall concert will take place at St. Lawrence Anglican Church, 80 Pine Street, Brockville. This venue has recently had a major renovation to its HVAC system with improved air circulation, filtering and cleaning.

Registration for membership is Wednesday September 14, 2022 at 6:30 pm in the church hall followed by the first rehearsal at 7:00 pm. Rehearsals will take place in the church proper each Wednesday from 7 pm to 9 pm. The concert date is the afternoon of Sunday, November 27th. The concert program will consist of Vivaldi’s Gloria and seasonal selections mostly drawn from past performances. Of course, our rehearsals are subject to public health guidelines and our ability to achieve necessary restrictions/protocols.  

At registration, choir members and interested singers will be required to provide proof of COVID vaccination as a condition of membership. Choir members are expected to keep up-to-date with all vaccinations for which they qualify. Masking (Click here for a link to recommended masks) and appropriate distancing will be in force for all indoor choir activities. Interested singers who have yet to join the choir will be required to show proof of COVID vaccination before they participate in their first rehearsal. Prospective members may attend three rehearsals prior to joining the choir.

Before each rehearsal, members will do a COVID self-assessment and sign in. Singers ought not to attend rehearsals if they have COVID or influenza symptoms. 

Membership dues will remain at $100 per season for adults, $175 for couples and free for students.

Soon, you will receive a short survey so that you may indicate your intention to return or join the choir.  This communication will also include a note from our Artistic Director Dianne Baird with a suggested program for our fall season. 2022/23 will be a year of rebuilding after a lengthy pandemic pause. I encourage you to share this communication widely and invite interested singers to join the Choir. 

In closing, we hope that this information assists you as you consider returning to or joining the Brockville Community Choir and we look forward to welcoming you on September 14th.

Take care

Barry O’Brien
BCC President

2021 President’s Message

November 25, 2021

Dear BCC and Interested Singers

The BCC executive met recently to consider next steps for the choir. The purpose of this email to is update you on our decisions and to provide you with enough information to guide your own decision making with regard to returning or joining the BCC. 

In the next few weeks, you will receive a short survey so that you may indicate your intentions to return or join the choir.  This communication will also include a note from Dianne Baird with a suggested program for our season.  I encourage you to share this communication widely and invite interested singers to join the BCC.  Our 2022 season will be a year of rebuilding after a very lengthy pause.

First and foremost the executive wants to ensure that the choir feels safe and confident at rehearsals.  We are excited to resume rehearsals and we recognize that a number of protocols will need to be in effect in order for a safe and successful start. 

The tentative start date for rehearsals to resume is January 19 at 7:00 pm.  Of course, this date is subject to public health guidelines and our ability to achieve necessary restrictions/protocols.  

There may be a need to have shorter rehearsals depending upon community spread.  A warm up and a one hour rehearsal may be the starting point.  This would eliminate the need for a break midway through the rehearsal.  Our goal would be to extend rehearsals to the usual two hour sessions over time.

A self-assessment will be completed before each rehearsal. This may be done online or in person.  Singers must not attend rehearsals if they have COVID symptoms. 

The choir will maintain current contact information for all attendees.  Attendance will be taken at each rehearsal. 

We continue to seek a large, accessible and well ventilated rehearsal venue.  The Church of the Latter Day Saints on Ormond Street is a potential venue and we await the decision of church officials in this regard.  In the event that this space is not available to us, we will need to find a location that is suitable.  If you have any ideas, please advise. 

Choir members are required to be double vaccinated.  Proof of vaccination will be required as a condition of membership.  Interested singers who have yet to join the choir, will be required to show proof of vaccination before they become members.  You may recall that prospective members may attend three rehearsals prior to joining the choir.

Singers masks will be required.  Similar masks are used by students and staff in the Queens University vocal music programs.  Dianne will arrange purchase on behalf of the choir.  Members will purchase these masks from the choir executive at our first rehearsal.  The cost is $25. The masks will also be available for purchase at subsequent rehearsals.  The masks include a Pro-Tek triple layered non woven fabric between 2 cotton layers supported by comfortable wire that extends beyond the nose and mouth . The masks are washable.

Physical distancing of 6 feet or more will be required before, after and during rehearsals. 

Membership fees will remain at $100 per season.

In closing, we hope that this information assists you in your decision to return/join the BCC.  The survey should be sent to you in the next few weeks.  Please take a few moments to complete it and send it to interested singers.

Take care

Charlotte Patterson
BCC President