VBC’s Return to Safe Singing
After a long year of Zoom, the VBC is very excited to be returning to in-person singing for the coming 2021-2022 season. The safety of our singers and families is paramount and we want to assure you that we have created safety protocols in line with current public health recommendations to help keep everyone safe.
We invite you to read below our procedures for safe singing in each weekly rehearsal and our vaccination policies. These have been created based on best practices and recommendations by national health and choral authorities. We are adopting this policy to safeguard the health of our members and their families, our employees and volunteers, and the community at large from infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, which may be reduced by vaccinations. We recognize the need to be flexible as the situation evolves, and we will continue to look to new data and guidance from the Public Health Agency of Canada, the PHO, and the BCCDC, reevaluating our policies when needed and providing updates when available.
We encourage you to consider joining us for this next season of in person singing! If you have sung with the VBC in the past, contact us to get the latest info on registration. Even if you missed last season, you are more than welcome to rejoin us without auditioning. If you are new to the choir, click below to set up a time to audition in September. All singers are welcome for this coming season. Let’s let our voices be heard again!
The Vancouver Bach Choir (VBC) has a duty to provide and maintain a safe environment that is free of known hazards for participants and staff alike. With that in mind, the VBC Board and Staff have adopted the following policy for its 2021-2022 season.
Vaccinations
All who gather physically at VBC activities (including rehearsals, performances, workshops, meetings, gatherings) and are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, are required to be fully vaccinated.
This is understood to mean that the person in question has received two doses of a Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccine, and that at least two weeks have passed after the administration of the second dose.
Singers twelve (12) and older who are not fully vaccinated will have the option of participating in VBC programming remotely via Zoom.
Singers under the age of 12 will be invited to rehearse in person subject to the wearing of masks and appropriate physical distancing, until an approved vaccination for COVID-19 becomes available. As singers become eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, the VBC expects that singers will get vaccinated as soon as possible. Additionally, any singers who do not feel comfortable attending in person are always welcome to participate remotely via Zoom.
Confirmation of your/your child’s vaccination status will be collected prior to the start of the season, and we will be in touch with you about how this will be done. This will be accompanied by a general waiver that will confirm you understand the expectations and potential risks of attending in person rehearsals. As with any personal medical information, this information will be securely maintained and access will only be granted to staff who require this information. If you would like to review our complete privacy and information collection policy, please contact us for detailed information.
In rehearsal protocols
During rehearsals, we will be following all recommended COVID-19 safety procedures. This will include, but may not be limited to:
- Regular contact tracing and COVID-19 pre-screening questions via an online sign in form all singers will have access to.
- Making hand sanitizer available upon entry and exit to the rehearsal space.
- Offering online rehearsal alternatives for those experiencing any symptoms of illness or anyone who does not feel comfortable yet attending in person events.
- Mask use *(edited August 31, 2021): masks will be required for all singers regardless of vaccination status, including while singing.
- Physical distancing when necessary.
- We may also consider reducing the number of in person singers at each rehearsal and rotating who can attend in person and who can attend from home each week. This is not our first choice, but we will adopt this method if the health situation requires it.
- Cleaning high touch surfaces.
- Providing a one way path of travel through rehearsal venues when possible.
- We have worked with our venues to ensure that proper safety protocols and air flow options are in place.
We appreciate your help in implementing these safety protocols and making in person rehearsals as safe as possible for everyone involved. As always, if you have questions please don’t hesitate to contact us. We hope to see, and hear you soon!