FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why is the choir requiring proof of vaccination if the provincial mandate has ended?

We are striving to protect the vulnerable members of our community. Singing creates more respiratory droplets and aerosols than talking does, so it increases the risk of transmission of the COVID-19 virus.

Then why aren’t you requiring masks?

This was a hard decision. Singing with a mask on is cumbersome at best. Deep breaths to support sustained notes result in fabric being sucked into your mouth. Open your mouth to make a tall vowel, and the fabric slips right off your nose. Masks change the timbre and volume of tones. With our requirement for choir members to be vaccinated, we believe we have mitigated the risk of singing enough to allow members to remain mask-free if they wish.

However, we may change our mask policy throughout the season as the COVID-19 pandemic, and the needs of our members, continue to evolve.

What if I can’t get vaccinated due to a health condition?

We want everyone to relish the benefits of communal singing. If you have a medical exemption, we would love to hear from you so we can determine if we can make an allowance for your participation. Please email Joline Baylis at joline@raincoastchoir.com to chat about your concerns.

How can I prove that I’m vaccinated?

You can download a PDF of your proof of vaccination by entering your Personal Health Number, birthday, and vaccination date through the Government of BC’s Health Gateway service at https://www.healthgateway.gov.bc.ca/vaccinecard. Proof of vaccination can be sent to Joline Baylis via email at joline@raincoastchoir.com before the season starts, or shown in person at the first rehearsal.

What happens if Joline is sick for a rehearsal?

Joline has appointed long-time choir member and talented musician Michelle Horel to stand in and coordinate the rehearsal in her absence. We have practice tracks to guide us if Joline is away as well. And, we have five section leaders dedicated to knowing their parts inside-and-out so they can help lead fellow members.

What if I am sick for a rehearsal or two?

If you need to miss a rehearsal due to illness, you can keep up by singing along with the practice tracks at home if you feel well enough. Even listening to the tracks can help you remember them.

If you’re sick for more than a few weeks and find you’re falling behind, Joline and/or a section leader may offer to hold a make-up session for you.

What happens if there’s a lockdown and the choir can’t meet up in person?

If another wave of the pandemic stresses our provincial health services to the point of a lockdown, choir members may be offered a discount on the next season’s registration fee. We would love to give partial refunds, but we need to pay for our new rehearsal space up front, and will not receive a refund if we do not end up using it. Therefore, refunds will not be issued if the season is interrupted by another health crisis.

But we could still sing virtually, right?

We tried hosting a virtual season in early 2020, and have determined it’s not the ideal setting for group singing with the current tools we have available. We believe that a virtual season is not an equivalent substitute for singing together in-person.

If you are interested in continuing to sing virtually, Joline offers private coaching online. While group singing presents many challenges online, one-on-one coaching can be done quite effectively in a virtual environment. Visit https://www.raincoastchoir.com/coaching for details.

What if Joline is sick for the performance?

If Joline is ill for the end-of-season performance, we will attempt to reschedule the show at a later date, or find a substitute director to perform with the choir if possible in the event that the show cannot be rescheduled.

If you have any questions that are not answered in our FAQ, please feel free to contact us or email info@raincoastchoir.com.