“We don’t really know how much we miss something until it is gone. When we return it is going to be so precious.”
Dr. Timothy Seelig, Artistic Director, San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus
“It has brought the reality of internet-based performance to the forefront. It may have been faster than we were ready for it, but it is here.”
Terrance Kelly, Artistic Director, Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir
“Much of what we are learning will continue following the pandemic. What we are doing now is an investment in the future of our organizations.”
KellyAnn Nelson, Chorus America
“The radical inclusivity that we can achieve now, we need to embrace it and push it as far as we can.”
Gavin Thrasher, Artistic Director, New York City Gay Men’s Chorus
On Monday, August 10, 2020, in collaboration with Chorus Connection, Harmony Helper CEO Andrew Goren led a panel of choral art experts as they shared their experiences navigating this new choral world amidst a global pandemic. To view the virtual panel in its entirety click here: https://youtu.be/Vxm-ovgXOLA
Music is an expression of humanity, artistry, and creativity. It can help us to express feelings beyond the reach of words. With most of the world in lockdown or on the front lines fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to acknowledge the power that art has to connect and unite us in times of crisis. In the choral music world, ensembles thrive in time spent rehearsing, learning, and performing together. This virtual panel provided tips and techniques for how choral leaders can adapt during this time of isolation.
Panel participants included: Andrew Goren, Founder and CEO, Harmony Helper (Moderator), KellyAnn Nelson, Advertising & Development Associate, Chorus America and Founder, Young Professionals Choral Collective, Gavin Thrasher, Artistic Director, New York City Gay Men’s Chorus , Jacob Levine, Founder and CEO, Chorus Connection, Dr. Sara Langworthy, Founder, DeveloPlay, Dr. Lynnel Joy Jenkins, Artistic Director, Princeton Girlchoir, Adam Reinwald, Owner, Open Voices LLC and Beer Choir, Dr. Timothy Seelig, Artistic Director, San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, Maria A. Ellis, Music Education Consultant, Owner, Girl Conductor, and Terrance Kelly, Artistic Director, Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir.
This 80-minute live stream was broadcast on YouTube via Zoom integration and more than 500 choral leaders registered to be a part of this interactive event. The virtual panel provided leadership inspiration and tips for teaching musicians during this uncertain time. Topics included best practices for choral leaders to help members/students rehearse independently and stay motivated. Technology (such as singing apps) and tools to support the arts during this time at home were discussed along with creative rehearsal and performance ideas, using technology (such as harmony apps). Finally, panelists discussed positive things that can come from this new virtual world and why it might make the industry more inclusive and much more.
THE “FERMATA” SEASON
Here are some of the highlights from the recent panel.
What are some challenges the choral world is facing amidst this pandemic?
“It is okay to feel and experience grief in this difficult time, but there is reason to be optimistic and hopeful,” said Jacob Levine, Founder and CEO of Chorus Connection. Panelists discussed cancelations and changes in revenue. This is a great challenge, “but one of the biggest superpowers of our community is creative solutions,” remarked Kelly Ann Nelson of Chorus America. Going digital has increased educational and social opportunities for choirs along with finding creative ways to perform.
Several panelists discussed the difficulty of using platforms like Zoom as the app can only support ‘one-way audio’. Below are some recommendations of other platforms and tips to make your Zoom experience the best it can be.
What are some modifications that music directors have had to make or will have to make for their rehearsals and performances?
The panel had a consensus that choirs need to be more about community. “A shift in thinking of what a choir is,” is what impacted Dr. Lynnel Joy Jenkins, Artistic Director of the Princeton Girls Choirs. “Choirs are more than just singing. They want to learn more about other elements like conducting, the Phonetic alphabet (IPA), improvisation, sight-singing, and chord progressions. This was a big surprise to me.”
Gavin Thrasher, Artistic Director of the NYC Gay Men’s Chorus agrees that shifting back to focus on community is the best strategy. “Community is who we are. Interpersonal interaction is missing at the moment so we offer the group a chance for a deeper understanding of technique. It’s a temporary shift. Focusing on the individual will make for a better ensemble when we are back together.”
What types of virtual activities have you and your singers been doing?
While singers have joined choirs for singing, it is as much for socialization and community. “We may have had what we do taken away temporarily, but they can never take away who we are,” stated Dr. Timothy Seelig, Artistic Director of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. “Our organization hosts virtual events nearly every day. From sober night to game night, book club to cooking night, these events allow even more connection than simply singing.”
Terrance Kelly, Artistic Director of Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir hosts virtual happy hours to continue a connection with his singers. “I count on my section leaders to run sectional rehearsals in a Zoom breakout room. This has been very helpful for the choir to learn their music.”
Due to the audio delay with Zoom, Gavin Thrasher (NYCGMC) films/records the director or accompanist and has the group sing-along. “We have been offering additional workshops, music theory, sight-singing, guest speakers, and more during the pandemic,” said Thrasher.
“We have been able to connect girls from around the country and put them in a space to watch them grow,” said Maria A. Ellis, owner of Girl Conductor. She created the Maria Ellis Hour for her students, a video show she presents weekly. They talk about various social issues and “use music to bring it back to their world.”
Adam Reinwald, owner of Open Voices LLC and Beer Choir has been finding ways to be unique and provide flexibility for his singers. “We knew what our audience wanted and expected,” commented Reinwald. “We don’t know what this new digital audience is looking for. Give them the opportunity to discover you (and they might even give you money for it).”
“This virtual environment has increased access to these great choirs,” added Andrew Goren, CEO of Harmony Helper.
What technologies, tools, and resources have provided the most value for choral leaders? What about for singers?
This topic could only be addressed by other important questions according to Dr. Sara Langworthy, founder of DeveloPlay. “What are you trying to do? Who are you trying to reach and how? How do you make both singers and an audience feel comfortable in a virtual space? Answers to these questions will inform your technology.”
She adds, “Zoom is an adequate platform with breakout room functionality. Using a previous recording of your singers is a trick to make Zoom work and provides a compelling feel of ensemble singing.” Streamyard is her favorite platform.
Adam Reinwald also likes Streamyard. “Crowdcast works well, smoother,” according to Reinwald. “Our audience is excited to watch our Zoom rehearsals. It’s also a great way to find new audiences.”
“It has been a creative time in our field and a difficult time to stay relevant and engaged,” stated Jacob Levine of Chorus Connection. “Things are evolving so quickly. There is tremendous value in being able to talk to your peers. I use the Chorus Management Network on Facebook. Here, directors talk about things that are working for them. The pandemic has accelerated the need for a digital world, especially in arts organizations. Listen and see what your peers are doing. Consider a monthly online subscription with access to exclusive content for your audience.”
Tim Seelig (SFGMC) wanted participants to know that “conductors are freaking out as much as the singer is, so don’t worry. Conductors are locked into the way pieces are performed virtually. You can’t make adjustments like you can do in person.”
Terrance Kelly (OIGC) tells his members to ‘Grab a grandkid’ to help with technology. He instituted a choir check-in, volunteers that call each member of the organization. Kelly is also creating an etiquette document for Zoom rehearsals. “It’s okay to get up to stretch,” said Kelly. “So many people Zoom all day, they are zoomed out. It is okay to be a little more relaxed in virtual rehearsals.”
“So much of what we are learning will continue following the pandemic,” commented KellyAnn Nelson (Chorus America). “How do we create performances for those that will not return to the traditional performance space? What we are doing now is an investment in the future of our organizations.”
How do you inspire your singers to stay motivated and positive during this time?
Dr. Lynnel Joy Jenkins (Princeton Girlchoir) had her group host a virtual sleepover to welcome the newest members. “It benefited them socially and assisted with retention,” said Jenkins. “Inspire students to be leaders, to use their social voice and get input from the students. This pandemic has been an opportunity for girls to work with guest female conductors and composers in a virtual world. With the addition of ‘Name the Tune’ Mondays, the whole world is now engaging with our social media.”
Maria Ellis (Girl Conductor) likes having her students motivate each other with events like their virtual fashion show. “The girls would post positive comments about one another’s style,” said Ellis. “The staff would send the positive comments to the girls to reinforce their self-esteem.” Ellis starts every virtual day with an online dance party.
“It’s the connection of the singers that tend to inspire each other,” remarked Gavin Thrasher (NYGMC). “It’s very different to capture that energy on Zoom. I find it important to take time in every rehearsal to check in and interact with one another.”
Each of the panelists was asked about something positive that has come from this experience for choirs and singers.
“There are cool things you can do in the virtual space and online platforms to build community. How do we take this forward?”
Dr. Sara Langworthy, Founder, DeveloPlay
“It’s the idea of connection and relevance. We have an opportunity to find the needs of our community and audience. We find creative ways to fund what we do.”
“It’s about investing in our people. Finding leadership that wants to create community and engagement. This is the power of choral music.”
KellyAnn Nelson, Advertising & Development Associate, Chorus America and Founder, Young Professionals Choral Collective
“It has brought the reality of internet-based performance to the forefront. It may have been faster than we were ready for it, but it is here.”
Terrance Kelly, Artistic Director, Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir
“We don’t really know how much we miss something until it is gone. When we return it is going to be so precious. Covid will help us not take that for granted.” He recommends recording performances in case this ever happens again.
“One of our virtual choirs reached 250,000 people. Do you know how many concerts we would have to do to reach a quarter of a million people? The world is our oyster. It erases the boundaries of who your audience is.”
Timothy Seelig, Artistic Director, San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus
“Who will we be when this is over? Now it’s time to enjoy this journey.”
Dr. Lynnel Joy Jenkins, Artistic Director, Princeton Girlchoir
“We are changing the definition of membership now that geographical barriers are no longer an issue. There is a chance to build this community in an ever broader sense, without geographical borders.”
“The radical inclusivity that we can achieve now, we need to embrace it and push it as far as we can.”
Gavin Thrasher, Artistic Director, New York City Gay Men’s Chorus
“The expansion of educational opportunities and leveling the playing field for annual events that are economically out-of-reach for many is a positive move.”
Jacob Levine, Founder and CEO, Chorus Connection
“There is global connectivity now. This is a great focusing opportunity for organizations. This is what we do and this is what we do well. This is where we need to grow. It will be valuable and long-lasting exercise.”
Adam Reinwald, Owner, Open Voices LLC and Beer Choir
“We have had the opportunity to virtually meet people from all over the world. I have taken the time to reset myself. I can do whatever is in my mind. There are no rules. You could either fail or never try… I’m going to try.”
Maria A. Ellis, Music Education Consultant, Owner, Girl Conductor
There’s no way around it, the past few months have been difficult for all artists. Not only have performing arts organizations been hit especially hard by COVID-19, but choral singers have not been able to use their best coping mechanism, ensemble singing. Despite these trying times, this crisis also has the potential to bring out the resilience and creativity that makes our community so strong. Our friends at Chorus Connection want to help you channel such strengths in this critical moment. Here are some resources and key information to help your choir as we march through this difficult time together.
“It was both an honor and a privilege to moderate this diverse panel of choral directors,” remarked Andrew Goren, CEO of Harmony Helper. “It’s in times of a crisis that the arts are most important. You may not need art to survive, but you need art to want to survive. A big ‘thank you’ to all the panelists who inspired us all.”
To view the virtual panel in its entirety click here: https://youtu.be/Vxm-ovgXOLA