On Sunday March 3, the NABGC and ASCC gave a scheduled performance at All Souls Church, not knowing this would be the last performance for the 2019-2020 season. Less than two weeks later, it was decided that NYC public school would temporarily close due to the COVID-19 virus.
The virus is spread by droplets of saliva, which makes singing particularly hazardous. Therefore, we cannot resume in-person rehearsals until it is safe. Choir parents were informed that choir activities were cancelled until further notice.
As time went on, it became clear that choir rehearsals were not going to continue for the rest of the school year. By mid-April, NABGC designed and implemented an online music curriculum including keyboard and music theory using Zoom.
Even in this modified rehearsal format, students continued to make progress. Member Destiny shares, “Something that I’ve learned is how to sing a sixteenth note. It was hard at first, but then Mr. Backmon helped me learn how to sing it.”
NABGC plans to resume in-person rehearsals when health professionals say that it is safe. NABGC is anticipating that its first public appearance will take in place in the later part of 2021.
