All parents should have now received an email from Surrey Arts informing them that the decision has been taken to cancel all Surrey Arts activities, which will include CYWO rehearsals, concerts, music lessons and other activities as of Wednesday 18 March 2020 until further notice.
This is of course a very disappointing development, but one which is understandable in the current circumstances and in view of concerns over the continuing health and well-being of our members, our teaching staff and parents.
We will continue to liaise with Surrey Arts over the coming months as the situation evolves and will be looking to reinstate rehearsals and lessons at Cordwalles School as soon as it is deemed safe to do so.
May Concerts
We have received notification from Camberley Theatre that they will now be closed until at least May 31st in view of the government’s current advice to the public that they should avoid theatre visits. This, coupled with the fact that all Surrey Arts ensemble activities are now curtailed until further notice, means that our May concerts will not be going ahead this year. This will be the first time in 32 years that we have had to cancel our May concerts. A very disappointing situation, especially for our members who have been working hard to prepare their programme of music for the concerts.
It has been agreed with Camberley Theatre that, as soon as the situation regarding social contact normalizes, we will look to arrange a concert at the theatre. Hopefully, this will be during the summer term.
Summer Concert Tour to Valencia
We have made contact with our tour company to determine their current policy regarding overseas music tours booked for this coming summer, given the current uncertainty over the development of the coronavirus in the coming months, the current restrictions on travel and the fact that school trips have now been stopped.
We will continue to keep those members of the tour party and their parents updated with developments. In the meantime, please continue to maintain payments in accordance with the agreed payment plan. Thank you.
Finally
We hope all our members and their families are able to keep well in these uncertain times and that those that succumb to the virus make a speedy recovery.
We will continue to keep in touch.
Brian Hopper
Chair
brian.hopper@cywo.org.uk