music close up 2020-21
A message from our chairman:
Covid-19 has changed such a lot about how we do things, how safe we feel going about our lives, how alone some of us feel. During this time those of us who love music will receive much solace from it, and we all look forward to the companionship and shared experience of listening with people we like and know in a beautiful space. That is what we hope our concert season offers, and that is why it is such a pleasure to bring it all together each year. So, some bad news:
The committee has decided that it will not be possible to put on concerts during the 2020–2121 season. I would like to share our reasons with you.
1. It seems likely that there will be a real health risk from large indoor gatherings for months to come. Therefore it seems unlikely that we will be allowed to, or would want to, put on concerts before Christmas.
2. It also seems that the risk will be felt and will affect what we choose to do for longer still. Concert-going may not become something we want to do for quite a while after restrictions are lifted.
3. A vaccine for widespread use is unlikely to be available quickly, according to experts.
4. There is no room for social distancing in our venue, The Town House.
We therefore feel that the responsible thing to do is to suspend our concerts until October 2021. This is the first time since our founding in 1985 that we will not put on our concert season, but we would rather that than risk anyone's health.
We will continue to work behind the scenes. Haddington Concert Society is not closing. We will come together again next year when we all feel safe and able to enjoy great music together.
In the mean time, I thank you for your understanding, generosity, patience, and support. Finally, Vera Lynn having been quoted elsewhere, I leave you with the life-affirming first and last lines of Strauss's song, Morgen!
And tomorrow the sun will shine again... and upon us will sink the mute silence of happiness.
John Finch, chairman, Haddington Concert Society
Covid-19 has changed such a lot about how we do things, how safe we feel going about our lives, how alone some of us feel. During this time those of us who love music will receive much solace from it, and we all look forward to the companionship and shared experience of listening with people we like and know in a beautiful space. That is what we hope our concert season offers, and that is why it is such a pleasure to bring it all together each year. So, some bad news:
The committee has decided that it will not be possible to put on concerts during the 2020–2121 season. I would like to share our reasons with you.
1. It seems likely that there will be a real health risk from large indoor gatherings for months to come. Therefore it seems unlikely that we will be allowed to, or would want to, put on concerts before Christmas.
2. It also seems that the risk will be felt and will affect what we choose to do for longer still. Concert-going may not become something we want to do for quite a while after restrictions are lifted.
3. A vaccine for widespread use is unlikely to be available quickly, according to experts.
4. There is no room for social distancing in our venue, The Town House.
We therefore feel that the responsible thing to do is to suspend our concerts until October 2021. This is the first time since our founding in 1985 that we will not put on our concert season, but we would rather that than risk anyone's health.
We will continue to work behind the scenes. Haddington Concert Society is not closing. We will come together again next year when we all feel safe and able to enjoy great music together.
In the mean time, I thank you for your understanding, generosity, patience, and support. Finally, Vera Lynn having been quoted elsewhere, I leave you with the life-affirming first and last lines of Strauss's song, Morgen!
And tomorrow the sun will shine again... and upon us will sink the mute silence of happiness.
John Finch, chairman, Haddington Concert Society
