Dear Friends,
It’s an Ice Age: Back when the Coronavirus was a news story from China, we had some warning from pundits that it was heading this way. As more and more cases occurred in the United States, it started to seem the only real question was whether it would bring “winter” or a “mini-ice age.”
COVID was initially thought to be an interruption—i.e., after it blew through, things would go back to normal. I remember thinking there was no way we would be contending with wearing masks into July. In reality, it seems we are most likely facing a blizzard today, a winter for the next few months, and a little ice age for years to come.This interruption has become a worldwide disruption, not only affecting how we live at home, but how we make our living. The freedoms we assumed as musicians have been challenged in a multitude of ways.
One of the phenomena that has come out of this pandemic has been something referred to as worship shifting. It refers to those who have gravitated to the online services of a different church. Because so many options are available, loyalty to the services we work hard to create are sometimes shifted, and now we feel the added pressure to provide the most attractive service on the web. It is easy to lose sight of the fact that we are responsible to be the resource to feed the souls of our congregation and the connection not only to worship, but to community. Virtual services only really work until a crisis hits. Then we need people who know our name and can visit us in the hospital – those who can bring vision and hope for the near future. This is why it is so important to make the effort to connect with one another in our community of musicians. Even a note or phone call lets someone know you are available as a friend and there to support them.
Though our North Shore chapter has been forced to postpone the past season of programs because of shelter-in-place orders, you will now see a calendar filled with musical opportunities scheduled through May. Some of these programs may be adapted to be virtual, but we remain optimistic that many will be held face to face.
You can read more details of these programs below, but please don’t miss the opening event on September 15th. It will feature six local organists performing on a wide variety of organs in the area. This recital will be followed by an opportunity to join friends in our chapter for a time to visit for a while. Richard Clemmitt will be the evening’s host. I hope you make it a priority to come.
Warmly,
Judy Kohl, Dean