Hello my fellow HCB musicians,
I hope all of you are getting by as best you can given the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated government response.
In mid-March, the Nova Scotia government announced the closure of all public schools, and on March 16, I wrote to you advising that the remaining March HCB rehearsals were being cancelled as a result.
The public school closure was recently extended until at least May 1, 2020. Our Musical Director, Dave Staples, has advised that the Kiwanis Music Festival has been cancelled for this year, and he confirms we will not have access to the Bella Rose or to Halifax West High School before May 1, if at all.
I have consulted with Dave and my fellow members of the HCB Society Board. In view of the ongoing state of emergency and associated restrictions on public gatherings, I regret to advise you that HCB rehearsals for the remainder of April 2020 have been cancelled. Although no final decision has yet been made about the remainder of the 2019-20 HCB season, a number of options are being considered, and the Board plans to meet again before the end of April, following which you can expect a decision to be announced.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through these very challenging times together.
Yours in harmony and hope,
John
John Underhill President Halifax Concert Band Society www.halifaxconcertband.ca