The Virtual Fellowship Experience

Hello all, 

My name is Missy Curl and I have been the Development Fellow at The Washington Chorus for since February 2020. Of course, shortly after I began the internship, the COVID-19 closings swept the nation, and everything moved online. Though they didn’t need to, the staff at The Washington Chorus was gracious enough to continue my internship virtually. I was so thankful to continue learning from them as we all entered uncharted territory together: how does an arts organization that prides itself on vibrant live performances continue its mission remotely?   

I had a few upcoming projects with The Washington Chorus before the pandemic hit. I was ready, in the second week of March, to help out at the St. Patrick’s Day concert at Strathmore, which is proof of how quickly the shutdowns began: at the beginning of the week, the entire staff was prepping materials for the concert, and by March 12, the concert (among many other events throughout the United States) was cancelled. I had also been planning on writing program notes for the Rachmaninoff Vespers concert, which was set to be in April.

Robert Schroyer and Lauren Schick O’Connell set up the office to make me feel special on my first day at TWC!

However, despite all of the unexpected circumstances, I’ve still managed to have an incredible experience interning with The Washington Chorus. I’ve even had the opportunity to “flex some creative muscles” that I would have never been able to otherwise. I’ve written and coordinated some blog posts (such as Great Choral Excerpts to Sing While You’re Washing Your Hands and How People are Coming Together (Safely) in Song) and formed some trivia questions for TWC-TV (who knew that Viennese Expressionist artist Oskar Kokoschka made a life-sized doll of Alma Mahler??) And, though I believed I wouldn’t get the chance, I even got to write program notes for TWC’s incredible virtual performance of Rheinberger’s Abendlied (notes are at the bottom!) 

Probably my favorite part of the entire experience was seeing the TWC Staff virtually in our weekly meetings, which have always been full of empathy, positivity, and a lot of laughter. Watching them continue to work hard, brainstorm, and think outside the box during what can feel like the most limiting and stifling situation has been truly inspiring. But most of all, I learned that the determination of The Washington Chorus staff comes from a place of love, care, and passion not only for what they do, but for the communities that they serve. I am so fortunate to have had a front row seat to the commitment that The Washington Chorus displays every single day: one that is centered around the transformative connections made through music and singing together, even when we’re apart.