“For a state dubbed ‘The Land of 10,000 Choirs,’ the pandemic has been particularly painful,” writes Ron Hubbard in last Thursday’s (3/18) Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN). “Joining voices was declared a potential ‘super spreader’ activity after some outbreaks were traced to choir rehearsals. But Minnesota singers soon were conspiring to find ways to harmonize. Gathering in an airplane hangar for optimal social distancing. Smelling scented candles on their way into rehearsal to check for COVID symptoms. Singing into their phones and being spliced into a ‘virtual choir.’ Now spring is here, the pandemic’s end seems increasingly near and several choirs are emerging to perform online concerts…. While the [Minnesota Chorale, the] Minnesota Orchestra’s choir of choice, hasn’t gathered in person since COVID arrived, it has mentored younger choirs from Minneapolis Community & Technical College and Roosevelt and South high schools via its ‘Bridges’ program. Its online concert ‘Bridges 2021: United in Song’ (7 p.m. March 29, mnchorale.org) features recordings of those choirs with 65 Minnesota Chorale singers and four conductors, including South vocal teacher Laurie Meyers.” Also included are concerts by Minnesota choirs including National Lutheran Choir, Magnum Chorum, The Singers, Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus, and VocalEssence Ensemble Singers.
Change font size
