Dear VCS Community,

Typically at this time of the year we would be contacting you to share our concert plans for the coming season including engagements with the Victoria Symphony as well as self-produced concerts. But when daily reports from the Provincial Minister of Health and physical distancing have become the norm, this time of year is any-thing but typical! Although the Victoria Choral Society has not yet announced our concert plans for the 2020-2021 season, we now know that performances with the Victoria Symphony, and on our own, will not be possible for some time.  All arts groups that perform to large audiences are signi�cantly impacted by the potential spread of COVID-19 and the Victoria Choral Society is no exception. Our ensemble is included in Phase 4 of British Columbia’s Restart Plan in which gatherings of more than 50 people will not be permitted until there is a vaccine, community immunity, or broad successful treatments. Additionally, data shows that singing sends signi�cant amounts of droplets into the air, and that no venue or ventilation system can adequately provide a safe enough space to accommodate rehearsals or performances. Given these factors, and consideration for everyone’s safety, it is believed that the Victoria Choral Society will not be able to gather in person to rehearse or perform until at least May 2021 and possibly as late as November 2021.

During these challenging times we look to the arts and music, speci�cally, to provide healing, relief and a sense of hope. The Victoria Choral Society has been at the heart of Victoria’s vibrant arts culture for more than 85 years and we have no intention of being silent. We are in the process of developing innovative and artistically meaningful activities that will allow our choristers to safely continue building skills until we can perform for you again, in person! We will be in touch soon to let you know of our plans and how you can participate.

We sincerely thank you for your continued support and we look forward to �nding new ways to sing, for the joy of it! 

Sincerely,

Members of the VCS Board Brian Wismath, Music Director