The one main thing our choruses long for right now is to get back to really singing together. Southern Accord has found a way to do this in real time with something we are calling Car-bershop – a name borrowed from another group. Other choruses are using similar technology but this is our version.

The concept is singers with mikes sitting in their cars, tuned into a predetermined FM channel on their radio. We can hear each other and sing together in real time without any latency. It works extremely well and our members are very excited to have this opportunity after so many months of just Zoom. We have chosen to have our mikes on a stand that comes through the open driver window. This leaves our hands free and reduces noise with holding a mike. We chose to not use cordless mikes to prevent latency or interference and because we have the support of a local multimedia company who has ample equipment.

We are fortunate to have found an experienced sound expert who is providing all the technical support and equipment at a reasonable price. His small business was suffering during the pandemic so we are supporting each other with this initiative.  Sonic Multimedia is well known in this community and networking with this business has opened some other new opportunities for the chorus. They also have the background to get CRTC approval for the FM transmission, set up the sound through Zoom to those who aren’t at rehearsals, and provide an LED screen for a visual presentation for our planned concert. They can also balance the sound if we have nine basses and three leads some nights. Bonus! 

Parking is a process, but we have found a semicircle with 12 cars in the first row and the others behind works well. We have up to 20 cars per rehearsal. The director stands on an elevated platform in the centre of the semi-circle where everyone can see her. She wears a headset so she can talk to us and there is a speaker for her to hear her chorus. She is so happy! Covid has been hard on our directors and Jill is enthusiastic about the chance to wave her arms at us again.

The chorus has a Covid plan approved by Alberta Health Services that can be adapted as restrictions change. We are strict about one singer per car. Right now only five people are able to meet outside so we have two sound technicians, a parking person and our director. The only exception is one person at a time can use the washroom facilities and spray sanitize all touch surfaces as they leave. Singers hand sanitize before and after touching the mikes and must mask when the mikes are adjusted for them or anytime outside the cars. Our sound people completely clean and sanitize each mike after use. If we have an audience, they will be restricted to staying in their vehicles. We have learned through experience that we have to remind everyone to run their cars every so often to keep their batteries charged 

Car-bershop has been embraced by our members – some that Zoom wasn’t an option for. We are so happy to sing together again. Our plan is eight rehearsals and then at least one Carbershop concert at the end of June. We are seeking grants and sponsors to help defray costs.

Hopefully after that, we will be able to rehearse outside this summer and look forward to a gradual return towards regular rehearsals and performances for all Region 26 choruses.