While Choir activities were suspended in 2020 and 2021, members kept in touch with each other in several ways.

Each Friday, Naomi compiled and distributed the Bulletin as usual, the content being different as we were not singing.  Naomi passed on items of interest including links to “at home” rehearsal websites (in lieu of the usual Homework!), music being streamed and broadcast and the like, and news of members.

In late 2021, Carlos wrote about one of his passions – fugues – and wrote a fugue especially for the Choir.  Click here to read about and listen to the fugue.

Naomi also used the Bulletin to share experiences in a manner we often do not get time to do at the intermission on rehearsal nights.   Click here to read about members’ working lives.   Click here to read about the books which members read during lock-down – there are some really good recommendations.    Click here to read members’ gripping descriptions of special musical experiences.

Some members met in small informal groups, suitably distanced, of course.  Others were singing in virtual on-line choirs conducted by the likes of Eric Whitacre and Karl Jenkins.  A number of Choir members belong to an a cappella group, Cantiamo, whose videos of “Singing together whilst apart” can be found by clicking here.

In the very brief interval towards the end of 2020  and again at the end of 2021, when restrictions were relaxed, members of the Choir met for a suitably distanced social event at Manly Dam.  It reminded us of the joy of belonging to a community of people with a common aim, especially the aim of bringing the pleasure of music to a wider audience.

And for a few weeks in April and May 2021 we began rehearsing for a concert based on Fauré’s delightful Requiem, sadly short-lived until another lockdown.

In March 2022 we started rehearsing again, and in July performed a programme of songs, Handel’s inspiring Coronation Anthems, and a number of choruses from Messiah.  Our thanks are due to St John’s Church, Dee Why for their welcome and encouragement in putting on this and two further concerts in 2022.