Important information

Dorothy Cotton Jubilee Singers Fall 2021

Auditions for new singers interested in joining DCJS will take place at First Baptist Church on Wednesday, August 25, from 6:00 – 7:00 pm. Please encourage interested friends to take part!

DCJS rehearsals will begin on Wednesday, September 1, at the Varna Community Center, 943 Dryden Road. The change in venue for rehearsals this fall is motivated by the better ventilation system at the Varna site. We plan to have in-person rehearsals for singers who are vaccinated (see complete description of safety protocols listed below); unvaccinated singers, or those who do not yet feel comfortable joining in-person rehearsals, will be able to join over the internet. The chorus members rehearsing in-person will be divided into two SATB groups, and each group will rehearse for one hour, alternating between 7:00 – 8:00 pm and 8:00 – 9:00 pm time slots. It is important that you register as soon as possible so that we know who will be attending the in-person rehearsals. Student Assistants will be expected to attend both rehearsal times.

Protocols for in-person rehearsals of the Dorothy Cotton Jubilee Singers; Fall 2021

With the high vaccination rates in Tompkins County and among the membership of the DCJS we anticipate resuming in-person rehearsals on September 1. Nevertheless, rates of infection in nearby counties and in other regions of the United States remain high, and there has also been a recent increase in new cases in Tompkins County. About half of the new cases are among people who have been fully vaccinated. With these facts in mind, the Board of Directors, in consultation with Dr. Bill Klepack, Medical Director of the Tompkins County Health Department, has approved the following system of layered protocols for in-person rehearsals for the Fall 2021.

Only vaccinated singers will be allowed to attend in-person rehearsals. Singers will be required to wear properly-fitted masks* when singing indoors. Singers will maintain appropriate separations of 6 feet, or more.

Singers will not attend rehearsals:

If they have symptoms consistent with COVID-19; or

If they have tested positive for the virus within the past ten days; or

If they have knowingly been exposed to someone who has tested positive for the virus (and not been cleared by a negative PCR test 5 – 7 days after the exposure).;

If they have traveled to areas of substantial or high transmission rates (and not been cleared by a negative PCR test 5 – 7 days after the travel).

Singers are discouraged from close personal contact, including hugs and the shaking of hands.

*Singer’s masks are available from Hickey’s Music Store. The come in adult and youth sizes in beige or black, and cost about $25.