COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19 Resources for the Canadian Choral Community

Choral Canada continues to monitor news and collect vetted information about the impact of COVID-19 on the Canadian Choral community. This page is intended to help lead you to information and resources so that you can get through this challenging time.
If you have a resource that you think should be added, please contact us.

Current Canadian Public Health Updates

Research and Data

NFHS study video "A Conversation on Mitigations for Fall 2021" - August 27, 2021
Updates from NFHS Performing Arts Aerosol Study dated November 2021 - includes published/peer reviewed research title "Measurements and Simulations of Aerosol Released while Singing and Playing Wind Instruments"
Colorado State: Reducing Bioaerosol Emissions and Exposures in the Performing Arts - May 2021
Georgia Tech Event Risk Assessment Planning Tool (currently does not represent Canadian data or case prevalence)
Colorado State Mask Efficiency Evaluation Tool (including singers masks)

Choral Canada National Webinars

We can sing safely! (public webinar) - June 2021 - Choral Canada presented a national webinar discussing updates on the latest research for safe group singing, the use of ventilation in your rehearsal space, the current legalities around vaccinations for choirs and singing groups, and recommendations on how to manage communicating your plans with your choir/singing group.
Click HERE to access the recording, slides and saved chat for this webinar.
Navigating Masks for Choirs - Dec 2020 - Topics covered included the current science on masks, focusing on the different types, fabrics, filtration, and fit for masks, and a short summary on tips from choral conductors on using masks with children and adult choirs. Presenters included two professors from McMaster University, Dr. Catherine Clase, Physician and Epidemiologist, and Prof. Charles-François de Lannoy, Chemical Engineer; Joan Fearnley, Soprano, Choral Conductor, and creator of the open source Singer's Mask project. The recording and powerpoint were sent to all Choral Canada members, as well as non-members who purchased a ticket for the webinar. If you are a non-member and you wish to receive the recording and powerpoint, please contact us.
Navigating Copyright for Choirs in Canada - Dec 2020 - with presenters from SOCAN, Entandem Licensing, and CMRRA, Choral Canada and Edwards Creative Law. The webinar aimed to answer many questions about copyright in the Canadian choral context. The recording and powerpoint were sent to all Choral Canada members, as well as non-members who purchased a ticket for the webinar. If you are a non-member and you wish to receive the recording and powerpoint, please contact us.
Risk and Precautions for Choirs - Aug 2020 - this very informative webinar featured Dr. Juliette O'Keefe from National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health. Insights from the NCCEH review of world-wide research on choral singing and the transmission of Covid-19, from a Canadian perspective. Click here to view the presentation slides.
Covid-19 and Choral Music in Canada - May 2020 - this webinar was intended to provide information on the current situation of COVID-19 (as of May 2020) as it pertained to the Canadian choral community. A scientific overview of COVID-19 was provided by Dr. Joan Robinson (Pediatrician and University of Alberta Professor, specializing in Infectious Diseases). Attendees heard from the Minister of Canadian Heritage and choral leaders from across the country shared their strategies and creative ideas, and offered messages of inspiration and hope.