I have really been missing PCO rehearsals, both playing and meeting up and chatting with everyone. We are HOPING to be able to start meeting again in September, but nothing is certain yet. As soon as there is news, we will let you know.
Robin has been exploring remote rehearsals using Zoom. He’s been working with members of Take Note choir, with some degree of success. However, he has reluctantly concluded that the process just won’t transfer positively to instrumental rehearsals. Zoom features and differing broadband speeds render live practise totally impractical. Remote sessions with many different instrument/parts, also require a disproportionate amount of preparation by Robin, when set against the rewards for all participants. There are also associated fees and Zoom Premium subscriptions to consider.
So, we are hoping for a September restart. Please pray to your gods, or none, that we are able to safely go ahead. The government has just released advice for musical performing groups. However, at the present time they have only given the go ahead for professional orchestras to play together. The guidelines seem nonsensical to me, but they are what they are. Professionals are somehow considered safe to play, while hobby musicians must keep to the current ‘stay alert’ rules where we can only meet with 5 others, out of doors. There is an article on Making Music if you would like to find out more. https://www.makingmusic.org.uk/news/disappointing-performing-arts-return-guidance
So please enjoy your summer, but don’t forget your instrument completely! Become a site member and help get our new forum going, by letting us know what you’ve been doing since March. Stay safe & take care. 😬
In the words of Fleetwood Mac;
Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow,
Don't stop, it’ll soon be here,
PCO will be here, better than before!
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