Virus struck down choir leader and 15 members at same time

Birmingham Bach Choir has been hit hard by coronavirus – in more ways than one. Choir leader Paul Spicer reveals all to DAVE FREAK

BIRMINGHAM Bach Choir’s final rehearsal before lockdown was one few who attended will forget. It was Wednesday, March 11 and everyone was in fine voice as they prepared for their next performance, Rejoice The Lamb, the pre-Easter concert at Birmingham’s St Philip’s Cathedral, which would include the world premiere of a new choral work.

Written by acclaimed composer David Bednall, The Dear Bargain was commissioned as part of the choir’s triumphant centenary celebrations, which had earlier included a packed autumn Gala at Lichfield Cathedral. It’s fair to say spirits where high.

Then, three days after the rehearsal, choir leader Paul Spicer was attending a concert at Petersfield Music Festival, in Hampshire, and sensed something was wrong. “During that concert I started to feel ill,” he remembers.

Paul managed to see the night through and get back to his Lichfield home, but suspected he’d contracted Covid-19. And he wasn’t alone. “Other members of Birmingham Bach Choir got this thing at exactly the same time,” he says. “So something was lurking in someone, or on a surface somewhere in the building where we rehearse.”

Paul battled with the virus for four-and-ahalf weeks, while at least 15 other members of the choir who attended that fateful rehearsal were similarly afflicted.

“It’s been very nasty,” he shudders, recalling everyone’s slow recoveries. “None of us had to be hospitalised, thank goodness. Although, like a lot of people, we all know several who succumbed to this thing. The husband of one of the choir died after contracting it, and in that same week about five people I knew – one of whom was a really good friend – also passed away.

“It was awful.”

Meanwhile, lockdown and social distancing measures, including fears that choral singing in particular could spread the virus, naturally meant the choir were unable to return to their

Edgbaston rehearsal space and have since postponed many of their scheduled concerts.

Although they’re in a better place financially than many choral groups (no concerts means no income, but equally reduces their expenditure), the choir still wondered about their future,

“It’s impossible to social distance a choir of 80, we simply cannot do anything,” states Paul. “I suppose it is possible to make music with a very, very small group of socially distanced people – of course it is – but not in terms of keeping a choir like ours together. Like all choirs, we have our own identity.”

Responding to a firm desire to regroup, strengthen ties, reassert their identity and plan for the future, Paul turned to video chat / conferencing platform Zoom. And he was quick to recognise issues with the technology.

“One of the difficulties with Zoom is that there is a time delay. So if I conduct, and put my fingers down, you’ll see the mouths of everyone open three seconds later,” he laughs.

Paul knew full, online rehearsals would be impossible. So instead

he opted for a different approach that began with 15-20 minute vocal exercises, followed by an opportunity to listen to, and discuss, new and familiar choral pieces, including works scheduled for future concerts (such as Rachmaninoff’s Liturgy Of St. John Chrysostom).

“I also play a few tracks from our own recordings, just to remind people that we’re actually quite a good choir!” Paul smiles. “It’s been a formula that’s worked very well for us. As people come into the Zoom session, they’re just so happy to see each other. I leave everyone unmuted, so they can greet each other and ask a few questions, socially. I then mute everyone when I do my bit, but unmute them at the end so they can all say cheerio.”

The sessions have proved popular, with two-thirds of the choir’s membership regularly logging in, and all acknowledging how important the online activities been to their well-being, ensuring those firm ties are maintained, and the choir’s strong identity isn’t lost.

“It is lovely to see everyone,” Paul enthuses. “I keep using the word ‘family’ but it is interesting how these groups do become something of a family – people get very close to each other and the spirit of the group.

‘‘Many groups and orchestras will feel this, as will many others in all walks of life. But in music there is a real sense of family, and the warmth that is generated, even from a computer

THE pandemic has cut short a historic period for Birmingham Bach Choir. Formed in 1919, they were in the final throws of their centenary celebrations when Covid-19 hit.

Among those celebrations had been a performance for His Royal Highness The Duke Of Sussex, the announcement of Roderick Williams OBE as a new patron, and a lauded Gala Concert at Lichfield Cathedral back in November.

“The big gala concert, with the Bachs’ Singet dem Herrn, Handel’s Dixit Dominus and Haydn’s Nelson Mass, was a really memorable occasion,” says Paul. “It was absolutely packed, we had lots of lovely comments afterwards and the choir were on top form. I was very proud of the choir that day.” Reviews described the concert as “big-hearted and gloriously dramatic” with “the whole ensemble... on fire.”

“After all that’s happened since, it’s really moving to think about all the centenary celebrations now. Thank goodness we got through it before all this kicked in.”

Birmingham Bach Choir membes are using modern technology to prepare for a time when they are allowed sing together again

screen, is one of the joys of all this. And it makes you realise very solidly what we are missing.”

At this point in time, Birmingham Bach Choir should be readying for their 2020-2021 season, which includes a Christmas Oratorio at St Philip’s in November. However, given the present lack of clarity on live performances and fears of a second Covid-19 wave, Paul’s unsure if the choir will be able to sing his year. Even if concerts are allowed, rehearsals take time, and after a long period away, singers may need a little more practice to be truly match fit.

Yet despite the worries, Paul remains firmly confident about Birmingham Bach Choir’s future, and their well-earned position as one of the region’s leading musical groups. “Inevitably, there’s an awful lot of doom and gloom, because there is doom and gloom everywhere,” he states. “But we have to look forward and be positive about when we do get back together again. And we will get back together again! There will be an end to this! When we do get back together it’s going to be exciting. We are positively looking forward. “There’s no lack of planning,” he concludes, referencing another new commission, ambitious concerts and extracurricular plans, “and when we’re allowed to be back, there’s a desire to hit the ground running.”

For more information on see www.birmingham.bachchoir.com