The Young Voices of Macedon had planned to return to live rehearsals at the Norma Richardson Hall in Woodend in third term but it has proven necessary to extend the Zoom arrangement until restrictions in Greater Melbourne are lifted.
Several choristers and teacher Emma West live in Sunbury and are experiencing lockdown.
Choir director Dianne Gome said the teaching staff had become remarkably proficient in the development of alternative teaching strategies to accommodate the drawbacks of Zoom rehearsals, and the children had adapted magnificently, taking increased responsibility for learning choir songs at home.
“At the end of second term, which was entirely Zoom-based, the choir had mastered several songs including some very challenging material from the Captain Noah jazz cantata,” Ms Gome said.
“We are well on the way to making a CD of our ‘ISO’ efforts, a project of which our singers will be very proud and which will remain a life-long memento of a very strange period of choral singing.
“At this stage we are hopeful of resuming short live rehearsals in late August.”
Ms Gome said new members were very welcome.
“Our experience this year has confirmed that the experience of singing in a group (even if virtually) at challenging times such as this is really good for children’s wellbeing.”
Visit: yvmacedon.org.au
