Guidance for members on Covid-safe rehearsals with effect from Monday 13th September 2021
The arrangements and expectations of members listed below were put in place by the Committee of Sheffield Bach Society to meet the most up to date national guidance. The primary objective is to enable the choir to meet safely and enable members to feel confident that all reasonable steps have been taken to reduce the risk of infection. The guidance will be kept under review and relaxed/changed as soon as it is safe to do so. The Committee will regularly review the arrangements and update the information on this page as appropriate.
Rehearsals with run from 7.30pm to 9.00pm until further notice, with a longer session on the first Monday of each month to enable the choir to enjoy refreshments, the sale of items to boost funds, and to socialise.
Before rehearsal
Do not come to rehearsal if:
- you have symptoms / feel unwell
- you have tested positive (PCR or Lateral flow)
- you have been told to self-isolate
- someone you have close contact with has tested positive
- you are quarantining after a visit abroad
We encourage regular use lateral flow tests and take-up of vaccination
The venue will be cleaned before our rehearsal
Members are asked to voluntarily inform secretary IN CONFIDENCE of vaccination status to enable a % to be shared with members to aid confidence
If parked in Waitrose, ensure Tony Cowling tony@ajcowling.me.uk has your up-to-date registration and inform him on arrival
During rehearsal
There will be no signing in sheet. The secretary will note who is present and, if guidance dictates, take a photo to capture where members were seated. (This is to enable close contacts to be notified in the event of an infection and photos will be deleted on the following Monday)
Maintain a minimum 1m social distancing during rehearsal. Seats will be arranged to allow this
Members are asked not to talk during the rehearsal and restrict social ‘chat’ to outside the building
Be respectful of each other’s space
Wear a face mask when not singing
We will keep doors and windows open for as long as practicable – consider bringing warm clothing!
Sanitise your hands regularly
Follow any protocols the venue has in place
Use only the toilets on the ground floor unless rehearsing upstairs
Avoid touching shared surfaces as much as possible
Bring your own refreshments
If you feel unwell during the rehearsal, inform the secretary, leave the rehearsal and follow NHS procedures
Members are asked to leave the building promptly at the end of the rehearsal
Notes
If you wish to discuss in confidence any of the above measures, please contact the Secretary
secretary@sheffieldbachchoir.org.uk
We will provide a few spare face masks and hand gel but please help by bringing your own
Even if you have been vaccinated, you will need to comply with the expectations above
Observing this guidance will assist our members and thousands of other singers across the country to begin music making again
The full Risk Assessment on which this guidance is based is available at : SBS Covid secure rehearsals approved by committee 6 Sep 2021
To print or download a single-side version of the above guidance (pdf file), click on the following link: SBS Guidance for members on Covid-safe rehearsals Sept 2021
Other information
Other information for society members can be found using the links below:
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Sheffield Bach Society 
The French concert on 17th November has to be one of the best we have ever done. Brilliant music, the choir sang faultlessly, the soloists were great, and as for the National Festival Orchestra – their playing was inspired. All who attended said they left with tears in their eyes after the Gounod. Well done everyone.