Cantata Cancelled

As the director of the Weston County Christmas Cantata, and because I work for the News Letter Journal, it is my unhappy job to convey bad news. I know that some people were looking forward to having the Christmas cantata again this year, especially since last week’s paper came out. I wrote about it being confirmed. But it has become such an issue that the rehearsals and concert have been canceled rather abruptly.
Almost immediately after our paper had been printed, some major unforeseen concerns came up. The music staff of the schools, from elementary to high school, expressed some legitimate concerns. According to school Superintendent Brad LaCroix, the schools canceled concerts this season because of the logistical problems. For each grade level, it would have had to be spread out over three nights to accommodate the parents of the students in the musical programs. This is due to the social distancing needs during this time. There is also a concerted effort to make sure the school is sanitized after each event. This includes practices as well as events in all phases of extracurricular activity.
That is a real problem for the WCCC as well, and the board could not figure out a way to accommodate those requirements in any location. Add to those concerns the realization that many of the people who would want to come out for the choir or the concert are elderly. There have been some concerns about the risks involved by several people. The health of our community is utmost in the minds and hearts of the cantata board. 
So, it is my painful duty to retract the story I wrote last week regarding the Christmas cantata. I am so sorry that I have to tell all of you this. Joyce Diedtrich has reached out to several people associated with the choir, and she and I have also discussed this quite extensively. After all the input and concerns for everyone’s health and safety, it has been officially decided to cancel the Christmas cantata for the year.
The board of directors wishes to express its sincere regret over this situation. But we feel that God is telling all of us to take it easy this year. There are more important things than a concert. First and foremost, we have to think about the community’s safety and the burden this would place on the school.
We hope that next year will be better. Then the cantata can come back with a bang.