TRUE CONCORD VOICES AND ORCHESTRA

TRUE CONCORD VOICES AND ORCHESTRA reimagines fall offerings

By Beverly Medlyn

“A number of our patrons just haven’t been outside this entire time. I can only imagine the sense of profound isolation and loneliness they are experiencing. Music is a powerful way to stay connected and in touch.”

—Eric Holtan, music director, True Concord Voices and Orchestra

True Concord Voices and Orchestra — a Grammy-nominated professional chamber choir and orchestra — is going to extraordinary lengths to ensure a safe and accessible 20202021 season this fall.

After surveying artists, audiences and volunteers, a True Concord task force formed to devise a modified fall season of live and streaming performances, addressing audience concerns while still producing rich musical experiences.

The group’s 18 vocalists, most of whom come from outside Tucson, quarantine themselves for 10 days prior to rehearsals and performances, undergoing testing to ensure their health. Local instrumentalists quarantine at home. Putting the musicians in a “True Concord bubble” is a concept borrowed from the National Basketball Association, which confined teams to Disneyworld prior to games, Holtan said.

Since survey respondents said they would feel more comfortable with outdoor performances, live concerts will be held at venues with outside stages. Safety measures will be in effect adhering to pandemic safety regulations and social distancing guidelines (limited attendance, spaced seating, no-touch ticketing, coordinated entry and exit strategies to minimize contact, etc).

Live performances will be limited to an hour with no intermission. Patrons will be required to wear face masks. Live concerts include: Brahm’s Requiem [10/20 - 10/25] and Mother Earth [11/13 - 11/15] and two new Vocal Consort performances — eclectic, small ensemble repertoires with 6 performances each: Vocal Consort I [10/28 -11/2] and Vocal Consort II [11/3 - 11/8].

“For those who are not comfortable with attending, we will tape the programs through a partnership with Arizona PBS in Phoenix. Those will be made available online for people to access. In doing so, we are able to serve that segment of the population which isn't ready to enjoy an in-person concert by reaching them in the comfort of their own home,” he said.

True Concord Voices and Orchestra will be filming 4 complete programs while in the bubble: Brahm's Requiem [10/24], Mother Earth [11/14], each available for 10 days, and their popular holiday concerts, Handel’s Messiah [12/5 - 12/25] and Lessons & Carols by Candlelight — Mary’s Gift [12/12 - 12/25]. Tickets to all live and streaming concerts are on the True Concord website.

The presentation format of the spring segment of the organization’s 17th season will be determined later, depending on public health considerations at that time, Holtan says.

For more information, visit trueconcord.org.