Singer Survey – Feeling Ready to Sing Again

We recently surveyed our constituents on their attitudes about returning to in-person singing. With 400 responses, we have a good snapshot of how singers are feeling, while recognizing that we are still in the early stages of eradicating COVID and things can change quickly.

Not surprisingly, 99% of respondents are – or plan to be – fully vaccinated as soon as it becomes available to them. While 30% are ready to sing in-person as soon as they are vaccinated, about two-thirds of singers will prefer to see evidence that we are reaching herd immunity before they return to the rehearsal hall. Only 5% don’t see themselves singing within a year.

We saw wide consensus that singing with other vaccinated people will be a key element of rehearsal safety. Singers see value in enhanced sanitation and spacing protocols and recognize that other measures will evolve as needed. Rehearsing with masks is not an appealing prospect for many.

Overall, 41% of our singers believe they will return to choral rehearsals in fall 2021 with another 57% planning to sing by summer 2022.

BCI will use this informal survey to help us give context to the information that emerges from the scientific and arts communities as musicians and audiences plan a safe return to concert activities. We are not producing in-person programs for summer 2021 and anticipate a return to our traditional singing weeks in 2022. With a commitment to safety and transparency, we will keep you posted on our ongoing planning.