Halloween Rehearsal in Socially-Distant Car Choir at Maryland State Fairgrounds

Finding new ways to sing in the time of Covid-19, the Children’s Chorus of Maryland (CCM) came together for the second time in a “car choir” style rehearsal Saturday, October 31st, 2020 at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Lutherville-Timonium.

While remaining in their cars, with the option to step out occasionally while socially-distancing, the singers each used an individual microphone and headset wired to a main console and speaker system designed by a sound engineer, in order to hear Artistic Director and Conductor Susan Bialek, the piano played by accompanist Patricia McKewen Amato, and one another’s voices in beautiful synchronicity as they sang.

As this rehearsal took place on Halloween, all of our students were invited to wear their favorite costumes and safely get out of their cars to display their creations, accompanied by some spooky music. Children’s Chorus of Maryland was grateful to receive Halloween treats and bottled waters provided as a generous donation by Wegman’s of Hunt Valley.

Seven months passed without CCM students seeing one another in person or singing together and hearing one another in real time. With much research and planning on the part of the staff, the unwavering help of volunteers, and generous venues such as the State Fairgrounds and the Church of the Redeemer in Baltimore, CCM is planning several in-person car choir rehearsals this fall.