Thinking of regathering in communal song

COVID-19 has been hard on the choral arts. We've felt devastated. Then we felt hopeful as we made our virtual choirs. Then we felt despair when we realized it was going to be long-term. Then-- determined, perhaps? 

But what comes next? How do we transition back? And what are we going back to? Is that what we want? 

I've been spending some thought on how it might look. Of course, it will vary based on each group-- and are they vaccinated? And how much can we "control"? And will we lose singers? And is there a way to keep communal singing? Not just keep it, but nurture and grow it. 

Obviously, my answer is a resounding YES.

We have to think of choral singing in each of its stages: Recruitment, auditions (if applicable), rehearsals, performances and programs, audiences, venues.

Recruitment: How do you recruit? Is social media over done? Put up posters? Outdoor fairs/festivals? How do you convince those who have never sung, or at least haven't sung for a long time, to join? How do you address health concerns? 

Auditions: What do you need to hear/what information are you collecting? Can you hear it virtually? The hardest part of auditions for me was not the time lag, but the fact that it was not possible (as much as I had figured out) to do chorale-type sight-reading. This is an incredibly useful part of the audition for my ensemble that consumes more music. Virtual auditions will still be a way to explore completing auditions for those that are a) at a distance and will be coming in later, b) not wanting to cycle in-and-out of a small office, c) wanting to save drive time.

Rehearsals: What's the physical set-up? 3 feet? 6 feet? Masks? Break after 30 minutes inside?  Outside (do not recommend)? Required vaccination? Will the space need to clear after the rehearsal/before the rehearsal? Will they even be in person or will they be over the internet?

Performances and programs: Will the singers still be physically distanced? Wearing a mask? Can you program the same type of music as before? Do you WANT to program the same type of music as before? Will performances need to be shortened?

Audiences: Will audiences be required to wear masks? Be physically distanced? Be vaccinated? How do you want the choir to interact with the audience?

Venues: Inside or outside performances? Recorded in advance and shared in a performance facility? 

My parting thought is: We also mustn't forget equity. How does equity affect access to a changed or re-imagined choral experience?