Well, everyone has an opinion on it, and never have we been more divided! Actually, I can think of a few things where we have been as equally divided. Whichever side of the fence you are on, it is important to respect each other.

It’s been a glorious weekend, but then again probably too hot for some! Where’s the rain when you need it most…. or is that tempting fate!

Three live rehearsals for me this week – two in groups of 6 and one full rehearsal with those who wish to come back. It’s a start and we have longed for this day. But we will be cautious, and we will be following our risk assessments and our own restrictions. In reality it will be September before we return to normality. But we shall have to wait and see what the summer brings. I think what is most tiring is the uncertainty.

If I manage to get all my choirs back in the last week of July, it will feel good, and I am sure quite emotional for many. We will still run online as well, so still a little more zooming for the time being. Two choirs will then take a break in August, whilst one will continue. We are planning for the Autumn, as much as we can!

With 190 cancelled rehearsals, although most were replaced by online sessions and 26 cancelled concerts, it has been a different kind of musical year.

It will be nice to think of the music again, but I believe we still have hurdles to jump and different scenarios to ponder, so sadly it won’t only be the music we have to consider.

I realise that I am not alone in this and there are many in exactly my position and I know that we have been resilient, creative and have wherever possible advised and guided our choirs as best we can. In doing so we have to be proud of those achievements. I also know that many choir committees have had to steer the ship carefully and will continue to do so as we return.

There will be one more Corona Blog and then it is time for a rest! I expect I will continue to write, but from September and you will be able to access them online. I will be producing an e-book of my writings, and this will be available to purchase, with donations going to Fairfield school.

Having written almost 64,000 words it feels right to share my individual and collective thoughts through what has been a difficult time for us all.

As we enter our next chapter let us remember that ‘we are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams.’