Notes
SINGER'S MASKS
Joy-Anne is currently taking orders for this mask!
Read More!
WHY CHOIR (and HOW CHOIR)
- a discussion of possible configurations of choir (especially children's choir) for the foreseeable future
Read MoreWHY CHOIR
A brief examination of the many benefits of choral singing.
Read MoreCOVID 19 UPDATE
- news from the land of research and advocacy as of August 24, 2020
We are currently exploring ways to continue to sing together. The news from scientific research is hopeful at this point. It needs replication and peer review etc., but I take heart at the following four bits of news:
- Aerosols seem to be greatly reduced by the wearing of a mask, especially when all present do so. This applies equally to singing! See this video from a US performing arts coalition formed especially to study this issue for singers, theatre actors and wind instrument players entitled "Performing Arts Aerosol Study Preliminary Results 2", especially at 15:58: Watch Here.
- Wearing a mask without gaps vastly reduces the aerosol movement in both directions (in and out through the mask) (same video at 30:15, where they talk about a well fit surgical mask but mention it is only 64% efficiency…)
- If wearing a mask with the proper fit and materials, the protective value of a homemade mask can actually begin to approach an N95. see the following video, especially discussion of a chart of materials tested from 2:36-15:06. It's important to note that NO MASK is an N95 unless and until certified and fit tested!!! Watch Here
- Using a space for a limited amount of time (current recommendation is 30 minutes) and then allowing for air exchange is also an option for allowing safer singing. See the video from the performing arts coalition listed in number 1. This is a situation in which we should be able to take advantage of in the churches where we rehearse! We may be able to use more than one space or room, so that we can sing for a while, let that room's air recirculate while use another room, etc.