online recordings

Online Rehearsals

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Online rehearsals 2020-21

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, rehearsals at King Edward’s Upper School were cancelled and transferred on line. In October 2020 the rehearsals were live with a group of 35 singers at the Wesley Chapel, Crookes, and on-line for everyone at home. During the second lock-down the rehearsals once more reverted to Zoom. Live rehearsals re-commenced on 25 May 2021 with rehearsals for the concert on 3 July for separate voice parts. They were expanded to all 80 or so singers from 22 June 2021.

Answers to your frequently asked questions about rehearsals

  • How come we’re no longer restricted to 30 people? Ministers have made clear that the ‘six singers only’ rule does not apply if a choir is preparing for a professional event, and Making Music and our insurers have confirmed this. Since we are doing the Faure at a City Hall concert in January 2022, all members who have been rehearsing live are allowed to rehearse together as long as we can socially distance them all (and follow all the other measures of course). This is why we have hired St Mark’s, ie, to provide the larger space required.
  • How do we know St Mark’s Church is Covid-secure? We have checked the venue’s own Covid-19 Risk Assessment, and Paul, James and Marianne made a site visit on Tuesday to confirm our singers can be accommodated with the required social distancing. We have used Making Music’s guidance (https://www.makingmusic.org.uk/news/england-step-3-guidance-choirs) as well as that from the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
  • Will vaccine/test status be checked? We are requesting that people are either double vaccinated or have a negative lateral flow test on the day of the rehearsal, but we are trusting members to comply. We will continue to take everyone’s temperature on the way into the venue.
  • I’m not on the singing list. Can I come on Tuesday? Unfortunately not. Covid-19 safety precautions mean that numbers have to be controlled much more carefully, and limited to what is safe. Only those on the singing list may sing in the concert and attend the next two live rehearsals. We do hope everyone understands.
  • What about face coverings – and chatting? Face coverings must be worn until we start to sing – and we can’t stay to chat after the rehearsal.
  • What if I said I would sing live but I’ve changed my mind? It goes without saying that anyone who feels ill should not attend, and anyone who decides that singing live is too much of a risk after all may drop out at any time. However, please let our Membership Officer Marianne Grayson know if you are on the rehearsal list and are unable to make it, so she can arrange for a substitute as soon as possible.
  • Is it too late to sign the petition about the ‘six singers only’ rule? Not at all – it’s still worth signing – see the Making Music update below for details if you want to help.

It goes without saying that anyone who feels ill should not attend, and anyone who decides that singing live is too much of a risk after all may drop out at any time. However, please let our Membership Officer Marianne Grayson know if you are on the rehearsal list and are unable to make it, so she can arrange for a substitute as soon as possible.

Please click here for Covid-19 Risk Assessment and What To Do documents

Links to recorded online rehearsals:

Anyone who misses a Zoom rehearsal may ‘attend’ after the event by using the recordings below, following which an email to Membership Officer Marianne Grayson will ensure your attendance will be added to the register.

08 June 2021

01 June 2021

25 May 2021

11 May 2021

4 May 2021

27 April 2021 – Desert Island Discs

20 April 2021

30 March 2021  

23 March 2021

16 March 2021

09 March 2021

02 March 2021

23 February 2021

16 February 2021

09 February 2021

02 February 2021

26 January 2021

19 January 2021

12 January 2021

05 January 2021

01 December 2020

24 November 2020

17 November 2020

10 November 2020

03 November 2020

27 October 2020

20 October 2020

13 October 2020

06 October 2020

29 September 2020

22 September 2020

15 September2020

8 September 2020

28 July 2020

14 July 2020

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