We now have a covered place to rehearse together until this pandemic is over. Thanks to Sound Transit for working with us to think outside the box (or inside the garage, as it were) and let us use part of their Northgate station park and ride garage for Covid-safe in-car rehearsals. In exchange, we will be performing for them when the light rail station opens for service in September. A win-win! Thanks again, Sound Transit.
Christian Saether's blog
Covid-19 safe in-car/outdoor singing overview
The idea here is having Covid safe rehearsals for singers. This is done by having everyone isolated in their own car. Everyone has a microphone and listens to a mix of everyone together over either their car's FM radio, or a portable MP3 player with an FM radio. Chorus members had previously tried multiple times to use "real time" internet based software such as Jamulus. The inherent latency of both the internet and typical laptop audio (30 to 80 milliseconds), coupled with the difficulty of configuring said laptops in the first place, eliminated that as a viable option for the chorus. The latency is a big problem for a capella singing in particular. Both of these issues are addressed with the set up outlined next.
Aaron Edwards was presented with the coveted SeaChordsmen Barbershopper Of The Year (BOTY) award for 2020 at our annual (virtual Zoom this year) Installation Ceremony the evening of January 26, 2021. A self-described "behind the scenes" guy, Aaron endured testimonial after testimonial to his seemingly endless activities to keep things running, Covid or no Covid. He has organized our inventory of uniforms and music, gotten us involved with the Boy Scouts annual Christmas Tree sale as a fundraiser for us also. Many others, but most imporantly always being there as the "can do" guy that steps up for whatever needs doing, and gets it done. With no drama. And when this pandemic is over he will be expected to be the last one standing at afterglow again! Saul offered an unprompted tribute
The 2020 SeaChordsmen Holiday Show has already been livestreamed, but you can still watch it if you missed it! Search YouTube for "Seattle SeaChordsmen channel" or find it here. We had a great time putting it together and hope you enjoy it. Donations to the groups noted in the flyer can be made directly here. Thanks!