The El Reno Community Chorus has canceled its 2020 spring program.

It was not a decision made lightly, said director Nancy Sharp.

“In the third week of March, with the information about the coronavirus outbreak we had at the time, and in the interest of safety for our members and our audience, it seemed that suspending the rest of our rehearsals and canceling the spring program was the most logical and best decision we could make,” Sharp said by email.

“Of course, it would have had to be canceled now because of the guidelines of the state of emergency due to the coronavirus pandemic.”

“The program being prepared carried a theme of songs of hope, peace and comfort. This was done as we remember the 25th anniversary of the Murrah Federal Building bombing.”

Sharp said the program will be performed in the fall.

“We may make a few changes, perhaps reflecting on this time we will have spent under these coronavirus altered-living circumstances.

“These times are calling all of us to live in ways most of us have never before experienced. It seems unreal until we open a newspaper or turn on the television. Across the country and throughout the world, new cases appear each day and the death toll continues to rise.

“Our prayers go out to all who fall ill, their families, and those who mourn the deaths of those they love. We pray for the amazing 24/7 emergency responders, those who continue to work in order to deliver supplies and services to hospitals, pharmacies, grocery stores and places which provide for the needs of our people. And our prayers are lifted up for those who feel isolated and alone as we distance ourselves, at least physically, one from another.

“Our supporters are on our hearts and in our thoughts during this extraordinary time. We hope you will be healthy in the weeks to come. We look forward to the time when we can come together, closer than 6 feet apart, to share beautiful music of hope, comfort and peace with a community and world that will be needing to hear those themes more than ever.”