UCC's actions during the Covid-19 pandemic
On July 3, 2020, the Upper Canada Choristers Board presented a written brief to the Provincial Finance Committee hearings regarding the impact of COVID-19 on Ontario’s culture and heritage. Our submission brought a focus on the impact of COVID-19 on the over 11,000 choirs in Ontario, many of whom like UCC are volunteer-based, self-funded not-for-profits that survive without ongoing funding or grants.
"We are confident that all of these challenges can be met over time, but there is an immediate need for financial support for the development and implementation of new ways of working together."
Our Artistic Director Laurie Evan Fraser (page 18) and our publicist Linda Litwack (page 12) appeared in the May-June 2020 issue of the Whole Note magazine, both highlighting the Upper Canada Choristers.
“Community service is the cornerstone of our choir … this the aspect of our work that has taken the hardest hit under the current circumstances. We are actively exploring new ways to continue practising together and to serve our audiences.” - Laurie Evan Fraser
Our Artistic Director Laurie Evan Fraser contributed to Choral Canada’s COVID-19 Impact Survey for Canadian Choirs. The results of this survey became the basis of a June 27, 2020 open letter to policy makers and legislators across Canada.
"We encourage decision making and policy implementation rooted in science, as opposed to unproven, anecdotal or comparative scenarios. We will continue to advocate for clear scientific communication from our leaders and insist that policy be created with integrity from the best available science."