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COVID-19 has disrupted much of the music world, leaving many organizations unable to provide opportunities to make music together. Yet despite the challenges, many have found a way to stay connected musically, and many are still pushing forward with new solutions. Inspired by the enthusiastic and innovative work many of my colleagues have undertaken in recent months, I am asking for help in getting some of the organizations that I work with back to singing again.
The Problem
One in six American adults sings in a choir. That is a huge portion of the country that has gone silent because we cannot come together safely right now due to the significant risk COVID poses. Since March, I have not led my community chorus, the Broadmoor Chamber Singers, in a full in-person rehearsal. I and so many others have not sung with our church choirs. We will be hard pressed to find carolers or holiday songs in public. Even the prospect of spring musicals and concerts seems dim.
How do we solve this problem?
A Solution
The good news: The most viable solution to the problem of gathered choral singing involves existing technology!
Affectionately referred to as a Drive-In Choir experience, the setup involves wireless microphones, an FM transmitter, and singers driving in to sing from the safety of their own vehicles. How cool is that!?!
Here is an excellent primer that's been put together by Kathryn and Bryce Denney.
Driveway Choir with the Denneys
As soon as I realized the Dennneys were located right here in Massachusetts, I immediately contacted them to schedule a rehearsal. When we showed up, the conditions were pretty atrocious - rainy, cold, and hard to see - but we soldiered on! Here are two recordings we were able to make after not singing together for nearly 8 months.
Gloria in excelsis Deo - Vivaldi
All My Trials - arr. Norman Luboff
Singin' in the rain!
You can read more about the technology here:
New York Times article
Chorus Connection featured article
The Denneys Driveway Choir recent updates
What I need
The Denneys and many others have posted extensive purchasing lists and tutorials for setting up a wireless music system such as theirs. I have used their lists to estimate the funds needed to bring together suitable equipment for choral groups that would enable between 4 and 28 singers to participate.
All funds requested will go directly toward the purchase of wireless microphones, audio equipment, cables, rechargeable batteries, and related equipment.
Timeline
My goal is to raise the funds for this system by the end of November in order to begin singing together safely by December.
In the future
Once purchased, tested, and operational, this equipment will allow my own group of singers and other choral groups to book time slots, rehearse regularly, and continue singing safely.
We are all trying to find meaningful ways to connect to one another right now. The taste of singing together again via the generosity of others has truly meant the world to me. I would be so very grateful for your support towards this endeavor.
Please consider donating - even ten or fifteen dollars! No amount is too small.
Thank you so very much in advance for your generosity and support.
If you would like to sponsor all or part of this GoFundMe, please contact me directly.
The Problem
One in six American adults sings in a choir. That is a huge portion of the country that has gone silent because we cannot come together safely right now due to the significant risk COVID poses. Since March, I have not led my community chorus, the Broadmoor Chamber Singers, in a full in-person rehearsal. I and so many others have not sung with our church choirs. We will be hard pressed to find carolers or holiday songs in public. Even the prospect of spring musicals and concerts seems dim.
How do we solve this problem?
A Solution
The good news: The most viable solution to the problem of gathered choral singing involves existing technology!
Affectionately referred to as a Drive-In Choir experience, the setup involves wireless microphones, an FM transmitter, and singers driving in to sing from the safety of their own vehicles. How cool is that!?!
Here is an excellent primer that's been put together by Kathryn and Bryce Denney.
Driveway Choir with the Denneys
As soon as I realized the Dennneys were located right here in Massachusetts, I immediately contacted them to schedule a rehearsal. When we showed up, the conditions were pretty atrocious - rainy, cold, and hard to see - but we soldiered on! Here are two recordings we were able to make after not singing together for nearly 8 months.
Gloria in excelsis Deo - Vivaldi
All My Trials - arr. Norman Luboff
Singin' in the rain!You can read more about the technology here:
New York Times article
Chorus Connection featured article
The Denneys Driveway Choir recent updates
What I need
The Denneys and many others have posted extensive purchasing lists and tutorials for setting up a wireless music system such as theirs. I have used their lists to estimate the funds needed to bring together suitable equipment for choral groups that would enable between 4 and 28 singers to participate.
All funds requested will go directly toward the purchase of wireless microphones, audio equipment, cables, rechargeable batteries, and related equipment.
Timeline
My goal is to raise the funds for this system by the end of November in order to begin singing together safely by December.
In the future
Once purchased, tested, and operational, this equipment will allow my own group of singers and other choral groups to book time slots, rehearse regularly, and continue singing safely.
We are all trying to find meaningful ways to connect to one another right now. The taste of singing together again via the generosity of others has truly meant the world to me. I would be so very grateful for your support towards this endeavor.
Please consider donating - even ten or fifteen dollars! No amount is too small.
Thank you so very much in advance for your generosity and support.
If you would like to sponsor all or part of this GoFundMe, please contact me directly.