The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) updated its Performing Arts Guidance with regard to step 3 of the England roadmap on Tue 18 May. Without warning, it diverges from what we had been led to believe, that non-professional music activity would return, outdoors and indoors in England from Mon 17 May, without limits on numbers other than those dictated by the size of a venue (to allow for social distancing).
Instead, it says indoors only 6 people are allowed to sing together, making it impossible for choirs to rehearse indoors at this step.
Making Music and Singing Network UK (SNUK) are pressurising the DCMS to review the updated guidance so that indoor singing activity be brought in line with the guidance for other non-professional music activity and indoor organised sports activity, as was the case between August and December 2020.
If like Joe, you’re passionate about returning to face-to-face rehearsals – please consider voicing your concerns to your local MP to review these newly updated restrictions that disallow Achoiring Voices from rehearsing together again in person!