Wicked Local
For the first time in more than a year, students in the Maynard High School chorus and madrigal choir were able to sing together – in person.
Dubbed the Driveway Choir, students with mics in hand, sitting inside their cars with the windows rolled up, sang out, encouraged by their music director, Lucinda “Cindy” Blanchard.
Even though she had a mask on, it was easy to hear the smile in Blanchard s voice as she directed the students, urging them to sing louder.
“Let her rip. Pretend there’s no one around,” she said.
Students were able to hear their fellow singers on their car radios.
Cars are the perfect choir loft for this âMessiahâ sing-along
By Karen Campbell Globe Correspondent,Updated December 16, 2020, 12:42 p.m.
Email to a Friend
Group singing is extremely dangerous for coronavirus transmission, but a Marlborough couple found a way by keeping everyone in their cars.SIMON SIMARD/NYT
More than 54 million Americans, from children to seniors, actively participated in choral singing before the pandemic hit this year. (Thatâs according to arts organization Chorus America.) But these days, the soul-rejuvenating practice of lifting oneâs voice in song with others â breathing as one, riding on waves of communal energy â has been targeted as one of the worst super-spreader activities out there. Back in March, one Washington State church choirâs infamous rehearsal resulted in a single sick chorister infecting nearly everyone present â 53 out of 61 people.