Risca Male Choir blog post #3
Another month has gone by and we are still confined to our homes. The choir has been very accommodating by learning pieces through Zoom sessions with both me and our accompanist Alison Thomas. It is disappointing to not be able to hear each other during our online sessions, as that is what we need to build on our sound and cooperation. For the moment, we are doing the best we can, and we should take comfort in knowing that.
However, we are struggling, and we are not the only worried choir during this pandemic; both financially and mentally. With continuous outgoing payments and no incomings, many groups in the arts industry are in real crisis. We face the rest of the year without any live performances and rehearsals in person are looking unlikely to return for the foreseeable future. Researchers are looking at how we can safely bring back rehearsals, but until then, we must sit and wait for guidance.
There has been a lot said by well-known conductors about the state of the arts industry, with Sir Simon Rattle and Sir Mark Elder on the Guardian predicting a “real possibility of a devastated landscape on the other side of this.” The use of online services to promote our industry can only go so far for us, but the heart of our industry is being able to communicate our performances live and share our emotions and creativity to bring people together. Top musicians such as John Rutter and Bob Chilcott have highlighted how amateur choirs have been at the core of social cohesion and emotional wellbeing in the UK for all ages, and we cannot let the choirs fade away. It will take more than moral support to keep us alive; the government must show us some support through this time in order to keep the culture of choral and orchestral music going after the pandemic.
Through the lockdown, the thing that has kept many families and friends sane has been the creative arts industry – be it listening to the radio, watching Netflix, putting on an old recording of your favourite symphony… the list could go on. Without any of these, I know my own mental health would have deteriorated pretty swiftly. We are facing a world without these options to keep us going. Please consider signing this petition to help keep theatres and creative arts companies alive:
On a more positive note, we are still receiving enquiries about joining the choir and for our CDs, so if you have any queries for us, do not hesitate to contact us either through our website’s “contact” tab or on our Facebook page.
Stay well and stay safe.
Tomos Gwyn
Music Director