TEXARKANA - The Texarkana Regional Chorale's June trip to Paris has been canceled, according to an email announcement from TRC staff.
In an email addressed to supporters on Friday, the TRC explained the decision was made because of the current health situation. Because of the uncertainty with travel and other issues, there are no plans to reschedule the tour.
The coronavirus pandemic and associated COVID-19 illness have caused many arts agencies, entertainment venues, musicians and artists across the nation to cancel events.
Now, despite a year of planning, the pandemic has sunk plans for the TRC to take their show on the road and perform such beautiful masterworks as J.S. Bach's "Magnificat" in the City of Lights.
"Many thanks to all for supporting us as we worked on preparing for that project for well over a year. We will be in touch later as future TRC plans are unveiled," the TRC announced. "As always, we are praying for the health and well-being of all of you."
TRC Conductor Marc-Andre Bougie expressed heartbreak but said health and safety are the top consideration for the Chorale. The production company made the decision to cancel the June 5-14 tour.
"Of course my initial emotion is one of disappointment. But on the other hand, we've been following events as they've been unfolding now for, in our case, very close to a few weeks. I can't say that I'm surprised that conclusion was reached," Bougie said. "In the end, whoever we take on a tour, we've got to ensure their safety at many levels. This current situation we're in makes it practically impossible to accomplish that goal."
As he put it, "Heaven knows how this situation will unfold in the next weeks and months." Traveling to another state isn't the same as traveling overseas, including legal and government issues. The TRC also has a diverse age range, from older teens to singers in their 60s and 70s.
For now, Bougie is looking ahead.
"I have a full list of plans for next year, I can tell you that," Bougie said. But he will reassess. One issue is rehearsal, where singers congregate close to each other to sing. That's how it's done in choral music, he said. Hence, with people encouraged to stay six feet apart, they had to cancel rehearsals for the rest of the semester.
"You need that closeness," Bougie said, "so I need to take this into account."
The conductor also pointed out that their art form gains a lot from having an audience present. There's an energy that can't be created going online. Also, the presence of people performing around you brings energy to singing.
In addition to all those problems with just getting TRC members together, there's also the size. They number more than 50. "That hampered our plans for the semester," Bougie said. As events and restrictions unfolded quickly, the TRC had to make quick calls on how to proceed.
For Regional Chorale members like Sue Ellen Hall, the turn of events is disappointing. While she's sad about it, she's been to Paris, she observed. She has those fond memories, but not the ones she hoped to make with the Chorale crew.
"I'm sad because I won't be making music there this summer with the fine group of folks who make up the TRC and other groups that were to join us, and visiting with friends in the U.K. planned for after the tour," Hall said.
As well, other TRC members may have never been to Paris. She herself will find ways to share the music, though.
"For now, I'm going to find ways to make and share music and cat photos from home, thanks to modern technology. 'Social' distancing should really be called 'physical' distancing. We're all bound together and we need to do what it takes to keep everyone safe. Stay home and sing," Hall said.
Bougie said once they have a clear understanding of where this pandemic goes, they'll be able to plan and announce what's ahead.
"I'm very thankful, and I think I speak on behalf of everybody at TRC - the members, the board, the staff - we're very thankful for people's support as we've been planning this series of concerts and programs preparing for Paris."