This is a ‘better-formatted’ version of the info sent in the Choral Notes dated 1/16/22.
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An update from the CSC Board of Directors:
Happy New Year! We hope you enjoyed a wonderful holiday season and are ready to make beautiful choral music this spring. To that end, we want to update you on important COVID safety protocols for the rest of the 2021-2022 season, so please keep reading.
The CSC Board of Directors strongly believes that our Fall 2021 requirements for all participants to be fully vaccinated, masked, and distanced during rehearsals and the Holiday Pops performance helped us avoid spread of the virus between singers. With the safety of our singers, staff, and patrons continuing to be our top priority, the CSC Board of Directors has therefore decided to retain the following expectations for the remainder of the 2021-2022 season:
- All CSC rehearsals and performance(s) will take place in-person and indoors (i.e., no virtual option for participating).
- All singers/staff will be required to wear masks, properly fitted over the nose and mouth, at all times for all rehearsals and performances. The Board highly recommends use of a well-fitting N95 or KN95 mask, or double-masking if using a cloth mask.
- All singers must continue to adhere to the terms agreed to in the CSC rehearsal protocols and liability waiver as described here.
In addition, the CSC Board of Directors has determined that it is in the best interest of all participants to require all singers/staff to provide proof of staying up to date with their COVID vaccines by March 1 in order to attend rehearsals after that date. In general, staying up to date on vaccines means receiving one COVID booster shot as described on the CDC website.
- Singers must submit proof of a booster dose that includes your name, date of booster, and dosage information. Acceptable forms of proof include, but are not limited to, an updated CDC COVID vaccination card or dated printout from the booster provider (e.g., Wake County Health and Human Services, CVS, Walgreens). Documentation that does not establish that the booster was actually obtained will not fulfill this requirement (e.g., screenshot of booster appointment).
The CSC Board and Artistic Director are committed to these protocols through the end of the season unless circumstances beyond our control require us to be more restrictive. CSC will not provide exclusions or exceptions to these restrictions.
Next steps:
For those singers who previously submitted proof of vaccination (e.g., singers who participated in or prepared to participate in Fall 2021/Holiday Pops):
Click on this Google form to submit your proof of a COVID booster dose. The form will offer you the option to upload a copy or picture of your documentation or to indicate that you will mail a hardcopy to Laura Moore, CSC Executive Director, 614 Morgan Creek Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 by March 1. If you have not provided proof of a booster dose by March 1, we will be asking for your copy at rehearsal on March 7.
For those singers who are NEW to CSC and/or did NOT participate in Fall 2021/Holiday Pops and therefore have not submitted any proof of vaccination or booster, please follow this two step process:
Step 1: Click on this Google form to submit proof of vaccination and waiver acceptance. The form will offer you the option to upload a copy or picture of your vaccination card or to indicate that you will mail a hardcopy to Laura Moore, CSC Executive Director, 614 Morgan Creek Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 by January 31. If you have not provided proof of full vaccination by January 31, we will be asking for your copy at the first rehearsal of the spring season on February 7.
Step 2: Click on this Google form to submit your proof of a COVID booster dose (even if your Step 1 proof already indicated you’d received a booster). The form will offer you the option to upload a copy or picture of your documentation or to indicate that you will mail a hardcopy to Laura Moore, CSC Executive Director, 614 Morgan Creek Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 by March 1. If you have not submitted proof of a booster dose by March 1, we will be asking for your copy at rehearsal on March 7.
N.B. If you will not be eligible for a booster (according to the CDC guidelines) by March 1, please skip Step 2 and instead send an email to Thom Haynes indicating the date you will be eligible for a booster. In such cases, singers will be expected to submit booster dose documentation no later than 2 weeks following their eligibility date.
Questions? Please contact Thom Haynes, CSC Membership Coordinator (919-454-1577).
Additional resources:
- Here is a link to guidance about masks that will work for our rehearsals. Face shields, bandanas, and neck gaiters are not acceptable alternatives to face masks.
- Here is a helpful link to guidance about singing while wearing a mask. A Vocalist Guide to Singing with a Mask
As we’ve stated previously, the CSC Board appreciates that our members hold diverse views on the need for and best practices regarding COVID safety measures. However, given the recent COVID surge and the uncertainty of the future, we believe maintaining a no-nonsense approach informed by the best available science will help us continue to fulfill our mission to enrich our community through beautiful choral music in the safest possible environment for everyone. Thank you as always for your understanding and unwavering support of CSC!