Friday, September 3, 2021

Dear PNC Choristers and Friends,

It is with a decidedly heavy heart that I must inform you that in spite of our hopeful plan to resume rehearsals this month, we must once again postpone gathering to sing in person.

Let me use these words from our beloved baritone, Doug Webste:

With the Delta Variant being as virulent as it is, we are in the position of leadership in our community. Acting out of prudence and FORWARD thought, limiting the continued spread of the disease is the fastest way to get us back together.Sadly, there are enough opportunities for the disease to proliferate and, expectedly, evolve.The virus has limited (not nonexistent) spread with normal conversation. But singing is another level.

It is my hope that each of you who have had the opportunity to receive the strong (but not complete) protection of vaccination has done so. Everything we can do to prevent spread is a public service. For that reason I wear my mask with pride and compassion everywhere I may come in contact with others. Lately that mask has borne the message ‘Crush Delta’. While it does a great job at preventing transmission of virus, it also does a fine job of crushing the quality of whatever singing I may attempt. And singing in full voice with a good mask inevitably involves becoming a bit short of breath while expelling lots of air and particles and aerosols out around the sides.

Many thanks to all of you who have been so creative about reimagining in-person rehearsals. Hold those thoughts! And thanks to our new director, Bill Kuhn, for his flexibility and willingness to work through the continuing uncertainty.

Godt Helbred, Hyvä Terveys, Góða Heilsu, God Helse, God Hälsa, Good Health!

Karen Henellyour PNC Board Prez