East Bay Harmony

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Our main objective: safe, in-person singing!

As expressed in our mission statement, East Bay Harmony is a mixed a cappella chorus that offers an opportunity for all to experience the joy of singing in harmony with others, learn and improve musical skills, and promote music in a warm, welcoming community. 

While dealing with COVID over the past year, we’ve explored other activities related to singing and music, such as sight reading, casual sing-along, music/video sharing, etc. More recently, our virtual chorus format has been an earnest attempt to focus on an a cappella repertoire, but with diminishing member participation as of late. Our member surveys tell us that whereas these alternatives are OK, they don’t quite scratch the “I really just want to sing together” itch.

Although we had hoped to start our 2021/2022 season in September, the current COVID outlook is simply too uncertain and fraught with risk. Our current goal is to start the season in early November, although the format of the season will be different than in years past.

Seasonal formats and venue options

In a typical year, our season starts in September. We pick a handful of songs, selected by democratic member voting. We rehearse in person every Monday evening. We have a holiday party. We do a few community “warm-up concerts” in the spring. We end the season with a family and friends concert. Snacks and tea abound. We charge a modest $35/mo, significantly lower than similar choruses in the Bay Area.

Whereas we’d all like to continue with this format, unfortunately right now COVID uncertainties preclude any such planning.

Thus, in keeping with the spirit of our mission, we want to optimize around the key reasons our members join the chorus: to sing together in a live setting under the direction of a professional musical director, in a warm and inclusive community environment.

If the COVID-19 outlook improves, we might be able to convene an in-person, Monday night rehearsal schedule starting in November. Ideally the season would run through May, and we would select a smaller-than-usual repertoire to reflect the shorter season.

However, we are considering a number of alternative plans, depending on how the COVID-19 situation pans out. If in-person indoor rehearsals are not an option, our seasonal format may change to something like the following:

• Each month, one or more songs are selected to be sung for that month.
• We hold optional Zoom rehearsals for folks to get up to speed on the songs.
• We convene on a weekend day (during warm daylight hours), in an in-person outdoor venue, such as a school yard or park. We sing the chosen song(s) (and maybe some rounds and other easy material).
• The next month begins with new music, in addition to the previous month’s song(s).

This is just one possible scenario, and there are other formats which we will consider, based on the constraints, stability and predictability of the COVID-19 situation. If you have any suggestions with regard to this, please let us know.

Safety first: COVID-19 is not welcome at EBH!

Regardless of if we’re able to sing inside or outside, of course safety comes first. We will require that all attending members are vaccinated (and can show proof of the vaccination – instructions on this will follow). We will most likely require masks, and highly recommend that you plan to purchase a singing mask, such as Resonance Mask or the Broadway Singer’s Mask. Note that there’s a high demand for these masks, and it takes a few weeks to have one delivered. You might want to order one now. It is significantly more comfortable to sing in these masks compared with “regular” masks, in terms of breath support and enunciation.

In addition, we may require that participants show proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test.

What to expect next

The current virtual rehearsals wrapped up on Monday, August 23. We will pause for the rest of the summer. The EBH board will continue to meet each month to assess the COVID-19, venue, and format situation, and will decide on the best path forward. Again, the current plan is to start rehearsing again in November. We will likely send out another survey or two in the meantime, so that we take all member suggestions and/or concerns into consideration. Please see our Q&A page for additional clarification on various topics.

Despite the risk, sadness and uncertainties that COVID-19 has brought into our lives, we are thankful that our members are willing and able to roll with the punches… and show up for Zooms. No one loves Zoom. But frankly it has enabled us to stay in touch and to do some amount of singing. It’s allowed us to experiment and learn. It’s allowed us to be together, kindle friendships, and maintain the member community.

Please stay in touch, and let us know what comments/questions you may have.