Yvonne Orlich
“Harmony sinks deep into the recesses of the soul and takes its strongest hold there, bringing grace also to the body & mind as well. Music is a moral law. It gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, a charm to sadness, and life to everything. It is the essence of order…” —Plato
Plato was probably right, and because we fiercely hold these feelings, we are once again saddened to make the announcement that the Sun Lakes Chorale will not be reconvening for rehearsals or performances. These are not easy decisions for the governing board of the organization, but we must abide by COVID-19 restrictions in Maricopa County. It would be irresponsible and against county guidelines to gather in a group as large as ours on a weekly basis. The risks are too high. So, we must continue our moratorium.
In these difficult times, singing would be a great release of anxiety, offering comfort for both the singer and the listener—but it is not to be. Yet, we hold out great hope that by September of 2021, enough of the Maricopa County population and the country will have been vaccinated, and the number of COVID-19 cases will begin declining and restrictions will be eased. Our board will meet over the course of the summer to re-evaluate the situation and hope beyond hope that we can start rehearsals again in September and begin preparations for our annual Christmas Concert in December.
This is the first time in the history of the Sun Lakes Chorale that a year of rehearsals and performances has been canceled. It is a new experience for all of us, and it is so upsetting. But we must do the right thing. It is difficult to put into words how disappointed we, as singers, are. We thoroughly enjoy meeting and learning new and entertaining choral numbers. We do it not only for our own pleasure, but to provide pleasure, comfort, and entertainment to all of you who support us and attend our concerts.
We wish you all well, and we miss you. We hope 2021 is a much better year for everyone and look forward to the days when we can gather again and prepare a concert for all of you. Look for updates on our status in future issues of the Splash and SunBird News.
Keep the music deep in your souls and hold it there. In 2021 we may be able to sing again and release our troubles and ease our souls. Please continue to be safe and keep your loved ones safe as well.