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The much-loved Boreal Chorale & Orchestra Christmas concert will not be held this year. In an open letter to the 100 or so community members who gather to practice and perform in the concert, organizers said, “While we had hoped to be in a safe spot this fall to meet for vocal and instrumental rehearsals in preparation for our annual holiday concerts, we find ourselves in yet another period of “let’s wait for a better time” for the Borealis Chorale & Orchestra (BCO) to gather. Given the unpredictability of the highly contagious Delta variant in our community over the past couple of months, including breakthrough cases, we recognize that coming together to sing and play our instruments is still not in the best health and safety interest of our group and that of our larger community.
“Right now, we are looking forward to spring of 2022, with hope for better conditions to rehearse and perform.
“The 70-year tradition of BCO has been two-fold: bringing local musicians together to participate in the joy of making music; and bringing the Cook County community (and beyond) the joy of listening, together. In 2020, those opportunities had to be put aside, and now, as we find ourselves waiting on BCO rehearsals and concerts once again, we look forward to spring 2022 with hope for healthy renewal.
“Fortunately, funding originally intended to support the BCO Christmas concerts, granted to our sponsor, the North Shore Music Association, by the Duluth Superior Community Foundation’s Cook County Community Fund, was graciously extended into the spring. This extension is an encouragement for all Chorale and Orchestra participants and audience, and it gives us additional reason to look to the future.
“For those of you who find joy in making music: until we can get together for rehearsals, we hope you enjoy raising your voices and instruments right where you are! For those who enjoy listening we can’t wait until we are able to present for you the beautiful sounds you love to hear! Be safe, be strong, be well, until we can all gather again.”
The letter was signed, “Sincerely, Bill Beckstrand (BCO Director), Kris Garey (BCO Admin. Asst.), and Kate Fitzgerald (NSMA Director).
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