— Submitted photo The Ames Children’s Choirs will present a Virtual Winter Concert on Dec. 12 in 2 performances.

COVID-19 has changed the singing landscape. When schools shut down and playgrounds closed, Ames Children’s Choirs (ACC) continued to meet virtually and expanded its rehearsals from once per week to twice per week. When all else fails, singing prevails.

In May, 2020, ACC ended their season with a Virtual Spring Concert. They pulled together and offered the ACC community a live concert that featured virtual choir performances from each individual choir, one mass choir selection, and an additional mass choir piece that included family members in a round of “Make New Friends.” That piece exemplified the togetherness that occurred as a result of COVID-19.

Now celebrating its 26th year, the Ames Children’s Choirs remain determined to provide outstanding artistic and educational experiences for youth in Ames and surrounding communities. As the Fall pandemic challenges extend into the Spring, ACC will continue implementing increased technology, research-based safe-singing strategies, additional choir assistants, larger rehearsal spaces, and a combination of Zoom and in-person rehearsal options.

The Ames Children’s Choirs will present a Virtual Winter Concert at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec.12 with an encore, repeat performance at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12. The program will feature music in a variety of languages including English, Czech, Zulu, German, Pallahwah, accompanied by piano, flute, and percussion. The public is invited to attend this free concert via Zoom by requesting the link from info@ameschildrenschoirs.org.