May, 2022
BGMC is excited for in-person performances in June, 2022. The ever evolving nature of COVID19 and its variants Delta and Omicron necessitate ongoing updates to BGMC protocols. The current policy is:
- Every person participating (singing member, non-singing volunteer, staff, musicians, technicians, etc.) must be 100% vaccinated and boosted, when eligible.
- BGMC uses Bindle to verify vaccine status (free to the user).
- BGMC uses four Aeromed HEP Air Filtration systems for its large rehearsal space. These systems filter and recirculate the air in excess of CDC guidelines for large group singing. In simple terms – this air will change over every 6-10 minutes, on par with hospital filtration. This is in addition to upgraded filtration systems at venues utilized by BGMC. BGMC’s expert team of COVID doctors, epidemiologists and researchers have recommended this system.
- Masks are optional for BGMC singers. Should a member or musician want to wear a mask they may do so. Singer designed masks have been provided each member.
- For each tech/dress rehearsal and performance each member of the performance group will be required to undergo an antigen test on the day of the rehearsal/performance. Only performers who are fully vaccinated, boosted and have a negative antigen test result will be permitted to take the stage. Tests have been provided by Fenway Health thanks to BGMC member Kelvin Powell who works as the community educator for prevention at Fenway.
- Audience members will follow the vaccination and testing requirements of each venue BGMC performs in.
January 2022
BGMC looks forward to returning to in-person rehearsals and performances in 2022. The ever evolving nature of COVID19 and its variants Delta and Omicron necessitate ongoing updates to BGMC protocols:
- Every person participating (singing member, non-singing volunteer, staff, musicians, technicians, etc.) must be 100% vaccinated and boosted, when eligible.
- BGMC uses Bindle to verify vaccine status (free to the user). Verification is done at each BGMC rehearsal, performance and event. Verification may vary at venues where BGMC does not control access.
- BGMC has purchased four Aeromed HEP Air Filtration systems for its large rehearsal space. These systems will filter and recirculate the air in excess of CDC guidelines for large group singing. In simple terms – this air will change over every 6-10 minutes, on part with hospital filtration. This is in addition to upgraded filtration systems at venues utilized by BGMC. BGMC’s expert team of COVID doctors, epidemiologists and researchers have recommended this system.
- BGMC singers will wear masks under the current rules of our rehearsal venue. Singer designed masks will be provided each member. Choral singing is done best without masks.
- BGMC’s Music Director Reuben Reynolds will conduct rehearsals maskless behind a large protective divider, at least 3 feet from the nearest singer and be tested each week prior to rehearsal.
- In the event that masking requirements are in place in June 2022, for performance each member of the performance group will be required to undergo a PCR test on the Thursday prior to the Saturday show. Only performers who are fully vaccinated, boosted and with a negative PCR test will take the stage.
September 2021
BGMC looks forward to returning to in-person rehearsals and performances in 2022 (see June 2021 update below for details on the delay).
To participate with the Chorus as a member of staff, a singer, a volunteer or a contractor individuals must be 100% vaccinated. BGMC uses Bindle to verify vaccine status, which is free to the user.
In June 2022 BGMC returns to the stage with a performance at Symphony Hall. We will be following the policies of BSO for audience members.
June 2021
The state of MA has lifted all restrictions surrounding COVID-19 as of May 29, 2021. This is an update on our return to in person rehearsals and performances.
We are New England’s largest performing arts organization: we put 200+ singers on stage along with our musicians and dancers. There are very few facilities in Boston or Greater Boston that can house us; and even fewer that have acoustics that complements our music, let alone audience amenities that you expect.
Jordan Hall fits our production criteria. It’s why we have performed there for 38 of our 40 years. Jordan Hall’s rental guidelines for the Fall of 2021 exclude BGMC on a number of factors; therefore it is not available for us to rent. (Under New England Conservatory’s COVID protocols, they opted not to rent to choirs/choruses, to organizations with 40+ performers, and additionally have restricted audiences to 40% capacity, all while maintaining their existing fee structure.)
We have looked at every possible venue as an alternative, from high schools to colleges, from Temples to the Catholic Cathedral, and everything in between. We’ve investigated all of the major theaters, as well as spaces that aren’t usually considered for performance. Venues either are in-house rentals only or they can’t adequately house the chorus and audience, or already are booked with other programs. Our strength is being a large organization. We will not change who we are, so we will have to be more patient than we want to be.
Without a performance hall, BGMC will not be able to offer our annual Holiday program in December of 2021 in person. We are tremendously disappointed and look forward to returning to the stage in June of 2022.
May, 2021
Governor Baker and Mayor Janey have announced that all restrictions related to COVID-19 will be rescinded as of May 28, 2021 in Boston and in Massachusetts! The CDC has updated its guidance that vaccinated people singing without masks has been determined to be safe. BGMC is evaluating how we can return to in-person rehearsing and performing with this updated information in the safest way. We anticipate announcing our 2021-2022 plans in late June, 2021.
March, 2021
The safety of our members and audience is our primary concern. We are a group of 200+ people who sing. This activity has been designated by doctors and scientists at the Mayo Clinic, Harvard, WHO and the CDC as a super spreader of COVID-19 and its variants. The lifting / relaxing of gathering restrictions for groups will not automatically eliminate the risk of singing in a large group (even if the singers are vaccinated). The benchmark for BGMC’s return includes the state being in Phase IV along with 85% herd immunity of 85% and a low community spread percentage.
November, 2020
Under the Commonwealth’s Phased reopening plans, BGMC has been assigned to Phase IV. Specific restart plans are dependent on state guidelines that are not currently available.
May, 2020
The Coronavirus has affected us all. For the first time in our 38-year history we cancelled concerts (and our gala). For the first time in our 38-year history we are not together, singing. For the first time in our 38-year history we aren’t able to bring our community together. We will be back! We just don’t know when.
We’re in an uncertain time. How we looked at COVID19 in January is different than how we looked at it in March and how we will look at it in the months to come. The virus is in control, not us. Health professionals and government regulations provide some clarity on what we can and cannot do, but it’s ever evolving.
BGMC has been on the cutting edge and has a long list of “firsts” in our history. Despite this tradition, we will not be on the front lines of experimenting on how choruses return to singing. We will work with our colleagues, be guided by facts and adopt best practices as they’re established. We won’t experiment with the health of our members or our audience.
We’re going to be true to who we are, and stay rooted in what we know works about us. We’re a big chorus that performs in a big way. Our concerts are shared experiences that bring people together. We can be adaptable, but we’ll not change the essence of who we are. We will have to be patient for longer than is comfortable.
What we know:
- Jordan Hall, our performance home, will not be available to third party producers such as BGMC from March 2020 through June 2021. New England Conservatory will be holding the space for the exclusive use of their students.
- The act of singing is an accelerated transmission method of the virus.
- Massachusetts directives on larger group gatherings restricts the chorus from rehearsing or performing at the present time. We will follow these guidelines (consistent with WHO, CDC) for both preparation and performance.
We are planning for many scenarios and contingencies based on what we know when we know it. We would like to tell everybody right now what the answers are. The virus won’t let us. The virus is in charge.
We want to sing. We want to be together. We want to perform. But we will only do so when it’s safe for members and for audience.
BGMC has been around for 38 years and we plan to be around for many more. The board, members, donors, foundations, sponsors and government have stepped up to cover the financial impact of cancelling two shows and our gala. This funding, along with our previously well managed finances, gives us the ability to determine how BGMC comes out of this pandemic. Stay tuned.
We’re in an uncertain time but we are steadfast in the power of music to change the world. Together.
We’re grateful to each of you and send you and your families our love and best wishes.
Craig Coogan, Executive Director