SATURDAY 16 MAY 2020 – 3:30 PM ONLINE CONFERENCE CALL WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE PROJECTS DEPARTMENT OF THE CHORUS INSIDE FEDERATION, DR. AMEDEO BIANCHI GUIDELINES FOR THE COMPILATION OF REQUESTS FOR THE ASSIGNMENT AND DISBURSEMENT OF CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SHOW PROVIDED FOR BY ART.89 D.L. 17 March 2020 nr.18 – D.M. 23 April 2020 Confirm your presence by sending an sms to n. 328/8885070 Link 
COMMUNICATION FOR ASSOCIATED CHOIRS
The Federation of Italian Choirs Chorus Inside, in order to support the Italian chorality and to make accessible the information related to our Sector, informs all the associated Choirs that the Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities has published the notice for the assignment and disbursement of contributions to the show provided for by Article 89 D.L. 17 March 2020 nr.18 – D.M. 23 April 2020 (in an amount not exceeding 10,000.00 euros for each beneficiary). Interested choirs can contact our. offices for assistance and collaboration in the presentation of projects. For the purposes of access to the contribution, the application, signed by the legal representative of the proposing body, under penalty of exclusion, must be submitted by 4 pm on 25 May 2020. Link 
CHORAL FRATERNITY But does it really exist? In fact, it is a term that we often use to indicate the spirit with which we sometimes carry out our activities, when we collaborate with other choirs, when we interact with other realities, or when we participate in international festivals. Yet, many choirs continue to ask us: DOES IT REALLY EXIST? Do you find that this “fraternal” spirit is present among choirs, between federations or between conductors? Many are skeptical about the existence of this fraternal spirit that should in some way bind chorality in a common bond, in the sharing of values such as love for music and song, solidarity, friendship. It is undeniable that some openly express their hostility towards a choral federation, towards a choir or a conductor. But can we consider the positions of some subjects as the thought of all chorality or of an entire federation? And then the crucial question: WHAT IS THE POSITION OF THE FEDERATION OF ITALIAN CHOIRS CHORUS INSIDE? I will try to be as clear as possible… The Italian Choirs Federation Chorus Inside was born as an “Association of Choirs” at the request of many Italian collectives that have expressed the need to have a “direct” relationship with the central management body and the need for an efficient choral network. By choice, therefore, we are not a Federation of regional associations. We simply formed ourselves to be at the service of the Choirs. We are a small Federation but constantly growing… and animated by an inexhaustible energy and great desire to see our projects realized. The work we do every day leads us to share all the problems faced by our associated choirs and together with them we always try to find an effective line of support. THE ACTIVITY WE CARRY OUT IS ABSOLUTELY NOT IN CONFLICT WITH THE WORK CARRIED OUT BY OTHER FEDERATIONS AND, ALTHOUGH MAINTAINING A DIFFERENT VISION, WE ALWAYS RESPECT THE WORK DONE BY OTHERS. On the other hand, the principle on which chorality is based is the UNION for which we are always available to collaborate or to undertake virtuous paths with every Association, Federation, Organization, Collective that you want to put at the service of chorality. We have done this before and will continue to do so. Last thing. The differences of views between Federations do not represent a reason for contrast or opposition but, on the contrary, they are a sign of vitality, of different approach, of opportunities for choice in order to have an alternative … the monopoly system is not a synonym of plurality or democracy but of a flattening that would oppress the entire choral sector. We are therefore happy that Italian choristers can choose which Federation to belong to… choose the type of association that best meets your needs and that provides the most functional services to its activities, without entering into a dynamic of conflict. Choral fraternity is born precisely from this… to feel united in the sharing of values and common interests despite the federative diversity. I hope to have clearly expressed the thought of our Federation and I hope that precisely in this period of calamity and suffering, all the Italian chorality can come together and find itself, united in the true spirit of choral fraternity. A warm greeting.
Davide Recchia placeholder image President of the Federation of Italian Choirs Chorus Inside APS – Ente Terzo Settore
BUT WHO ARE WE? Now everything is finally clear. We could not understand why in no ministerial ordinance, in any communication, in any Decree, the “Choral” Category appeared … even in the stated reopenings of activities in Phase 2 there is no mention of the CORO category. The category of the Show is named with all its employees, theaters, musicians, event agencies, cinemas … but NEVER the word CORO was spoken. We asked ourselves a thousand questions and as a Federation we strongly demanded answers from the highest institutions that, through officials and managers, finally pronounced themselves, clarifying the real reason for this colossal exclusion. IN A NUTSHELL “WE ARE NOT RECOGNIZED AS A CATEGORY”!! The Choirs are seen as territorial entities that basically carry out playful, artistic, cultural activities but completely amateur and spontaneous, without coordination or organic connection. We are disconcerted and embittered by these considerations and we have expressed this openly by sending our demands to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Culture, the Secretariats, the Commissions and many Leaders of various Ministries. Obviously we speak on behalf of our associated choirs (which grow daily in number). In summary, we claim our belonging to a CATEGORY of absolute importance for the country… a Category that produces CULTURE, that intervenes in the SOCIAL, that protects the TRADITIONS of the territories, that promotes quality TOURISM, that UNITES peoples with singing and that exports the richest MUSICAL HERITAGE in the World. We are not a “niche” of the Society but a huge number of citizens who have made chorality their reason for living, investing their resources and their time, to keep alive one of the cultural and traditional events that characterize Italy abroad. As Federazione Cori Italiani Chorus Inside, we therefore claim the role of CATEGORY for what has been done over the years by our Choirs and for the close bond that in fact unites every choral reality … WE ARE NOT DISTINCT ENTITIES without connection but each of our collectives manifests the same needs, the same motivations, the same social dynamics. Our Federation is committed, with all its strength, to coordinate, support, promote and provide services not for a single choir but for an entire choral category. From the analysis we carried out on over 500 choirs, it emerged that many collectives risk dissolving and disappearing due to the scarcity of funds to manage the resumption of activities as well as for the objective difficulty in overcoming the fear of contagion in normal social relations. We risk seeing a piece of Italian culture disappear, a centuries-old heritage built on the basis of the most authentic Italian regional traditions. We cannot accept it without opposing remedies or interventions to support the Choirs in this moment of crisis and epochal upheavals. We therefore ask the government institutions to recognize us as a COLLECTIVE ENTITY and to evaluate the right support FOR ALL CHOIRS so that they can resume their important role in our Society. This time we will not sing but if necessary we will scream our reasons! Of course we will keep you updated on developments. Thanking you for the affection you show us every day, I send you the strongest choral embrace! Davide Recchia President of the Federation of Italian Choirs Chorus Inside APS – Ente Terzo Settore Link 
Finally Italy is about to get out of the quarantine tunnel and gradually each category will resume its activities … but the Choirs? Will they be able to reorganize and maybe do the weekly rehearsals? This is the most recurring question that our members ask us also because the “Choirs” category has never been included or mentioned in the list of priority subjects that will resume carrying out their activities. As federazione Cori italiani Chorus Inside we are dealing with government institutions and, on our own initiative, we are drafting a Safety Protocol that allows us, in the future, to carry out at least the tests without taking risks. I report in the post some points that we have inserted, but we are ready to accept your proposals to make this tool even more effective. What more can I say? Only that the Federation is alive, and is representing all the associated Choirs in front of the Institutions… an important, difficult and necessary task that I hope will bring a concrete benefit in the coming months. I send everyone my personal wish to always be positive and optimistic because the history of man teaches us that after every calamity there is always a “renaissance” both socially and culturally. And we want to be ready for that moment. A warm greeting and a choral “virtual” embrace to all. Link 
Davide Recchia placeholder image President of the Federation of Italian Choirs Chorus Inside APS – Ente Terzo Settore
Let’s finally start moving!! We participated in the interesting Conference call called by the Municipal Administration of Rome in which the foundations were laid for the next choral events (Eureka projects and Roman Summer). We report below the intervention of our delegate, Luigi Ferrante, to whom goes my personal thanks for the availability and professionalism demonstrated, and the summary of what was expressed by the Deputy Mayor Luca Bergamo and the other administrators: LUIGI FERRANTE: Our Federation reiterates the need for a protocol that favors the conduct of concerts at least outdoors and a planning of all the scheduled choral events. It is proposed the establishment of a Calendar where each choir can insert its event … “what I do tonight” could be a functional calendar title for users. Given the decision of the municipal administration to carry out the first outdoor cultural activities, we also propose to use the city’s parks for this purpose. The “Choir in the park” could be the theme… Given the important number of parks in Rome, which presumably will be full of people finally free to leave their homes, the idea is to do Concerts or even “Open Outdoor Rehearsals” involving anyone who wants to try their hand at singing … a system that could give new “life” to the choirs. We also call for necessary measures to reduce bureaucracy and costs for municipal taxes (e.g. the abolition of taxes on the occupation of public land and contracts with energy providers). Finally, non-repayable contributions are absolutely necessary to support choral associations burdened by monthly management costs (rents for example) and in difficulty due to long inactivity. Support is also desirable for music writers and choir directors. LUCA BERGAMO: Municipalities have specific limits for the disbursement of funds to support income, and cannot cancel TARI or other taxes … however, they can provide dedicated funds to support activities. Culture, sport and tourism were the first activities to be closed and will be the last to be reopened. The Cura Italia Decree, while dealing in part with entertainment, cinema and audiovisual, does not cover intermittent or occasional work and does not give room for maneuver to municipalities. It was therefore requested an extension to these professional figures and to be able to transfer the tax credit to the bank. Minister Franceschini has secured 20 million measures for the non-repayable FUS for the activities carried out between January and February, and 13 M.ni of additional funding to cover copyright have been requested. Rules were required for the full disbursement of the FUS with liquidity during the year. It was also requested that the funds are not only for the workers of the show and that the Enpals Special Allowance, not only for 30 days … Emergency income can perhaps be used. It is proposed that the redundancy fund should also be extended to intermittent workers in SMEs. The Municipality of Rome has given impetus to the liquidations of the 2019 reports and the Eureka and Estate Romana projects have been confirmed, for the entire three-year period 2020-2022 The suspension of TARI and rentals has begun. Possibility of financing not only projects, but programs. Cultural activities are financed by tourist taxes, with the consequence that Rome will lack about 90 M.ni of € that will try to cover without going into deficit, with a specific request to the Government. Eleonora Guadagno There is a continuous dialogue that has been activated since the beginning with the national government and this meeting is the first of a series that wants to bring the municipality closer to cultural realities. Emiliano Paoletti Possibility to send projects via PEC is not possible (some comments express perplexity)… It is necessary to send them as registered mail also with home collection for a cost of € 3.5. The three-year nature of the project is confirmed The three-year period of the Roman Summer is safeguarded In the past, intervention in the public sector has been progressively reduced in favor of the evolution of the private sector. This mode is incompatible with the current state of the country. The contribution of culture to the development of society is decisive. But there will be no future if we do not intervene in a capillary but systemic way at the level of government, both national and local. 
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TO ALL THE ASSOCIATED CHOIRS Latest news on the front of relations with the Institutions… After the letters sent on 09 April 2020 (prot. 127/20P) to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Culture (and related secretariats), we have put in place a series of initiatives to interact with the Presidents of the Regions… What? In addition to sending our proposals for the resumption of the activities of the choral sector, we have requested concrete and immediate support for the regional realities we represent. We believe that with the disbursement of the Funds for Culture and For Third Sector Entities, there may be a sort of “assault on diligence” by the myriad of categories and associations, each interested in carving out a slice of the cake. AND WHO PROTECTS OUR CHOIRS? WHO PRESENTS THE REQUESTS, ON THEIR BEHALF, TO THE INSTITUTIONS? Our Federation has taken on this demanding role and, thanks to the support of ALL the members, we are reaching goals that were unthinkable until now. Many regional representatives have already sent us a detailed report on the real needs of the Choirs for the imminent resumption of activities, and on this basis we have drawn up the first letters of request to the Presidents of the Regions. RESULTS? In 4 regions, the authorities have meanwhile taken note of our “presence” (evidently before we were “TRANSPARENT”), and consultation tables have been set up to deal with the various requests presented. So far it has not been easy, but we do not give up! We have a great responsibility to protect thousands of choristers and a piece of Italian culture. I ask you, therefore, to be close to us at this stage, sending us all your requests or reports in which you indicate the real situation of your Choir… we will collect all your suggestions, all your requests and bring them to the attention of the regional institutions. So far the regions with which we have interacted are: Abruzzo, Sardinia, Sicily, Lazio. Of course, we are also working on other regions, so contact us to be able to work together with you, in a functional and effective way. Finally, I inform you that the fundraising in favor of chorality, launched internationally a few weeks ago, continues successfully. A warm greeting and a strong choral embrace! Link
And now? What will be the future of the chorality indeed of my choir? Will we go back to being what we were before? These are the recurring questions that many choristers and conductors ask us disoriented by this sudden disaster that has fallen on us … crucial questions that are a cause for anxiety and discouragement… it is true, what is happening is the antithesis of chorality … the essence of the choir is based on SHARING, ON THE HUMAN RELATIONSHIP, ON SQUEEZING SHOULDER TO SHOULDER AND SINGING THE JOY OF BEING TOGETHER, ON BEING PART OF A COLLECTIVE THAT BECOMES A SINGLE VIBRANT BODY OF EMOTIONS … and then the moments of brotherhood with other choirs, the reviews, the festivals, the twinnings … behaviors that inevitably bind us and cement the relationships between choristers and between choirs all over the world. All this seems to have dissolved with disarming speed. We are living an important historical moment, a moment that we could never have imagined… but we are here, now, to reassure you: the Chorus Inside Federation is there. Every day we receive a word of comfort and a message of hope from each one of you. We are happy to know that, despite the difficulties, choral singing continues, choirs survive even the worst epidemics and we firmly believe that singing is today more than ever the best cure for the soul. We would like you to know that:
- True relationships and important bonds are highlighted precisely in times of difficulty. Those who have in their hearts rooted the true principles of chorality will not erase them and, at the appropriate time, will be ready to manifest them as and more than before; those who do chorality for reasons related to personal interests or without a strong motivation, will keep at a distance and will simply turn off their interest.
- Needless to deny, we will not return as soon as before … fear, fear of still being exposed to possible infections, will certainly limit human relationships and the activities of the choirs, especially as regards travel, twinning, festivals, concerts, etc …
- As a Federation, we will fight so that our Italian choral heritage is not weakened or reduced… we believe that the category of Italian chorality is also an important part of our society and as such must be adequately supported by the institutions. What? As soon as possible, we will ask the Government to intervene so that the rich cultural heritage represented by our choirs does not disappear … Italian culture owes much to chorality, which therefore deserves to be protected and protected.
We are sad but not dejected… We take care of you every hour of the day and we keep in touch as much as possible with choirs from all over the world to be present and updated on the situation … let’s try to understand what the world will be “after” and prepare for this great challenge. For the moment, we send you a big choral embrace that can convey to you our closeness and our encouragement to resist and protect that flame that burns in our hearts… that will soon explode in the most beautiful choral songs ever heard! As always, for everything, we are there… do not hesitate to contact us. With affection. David
website: www.chorusinside.com Email: info@chorusinside.com Tel.: 349/3120280 – 0871/070211
Dear choristers, in Italy we are experiencing a difficult moment that involves the entire planet … a period in which we are forced to change our lifestyle, to limit or even cancel the activities that we love most… It is true, individually, we can feel alone and overwhelmed by sudden and unmanageable events but, please, never forget the true sense of “CHORALITY”, of belonging to a large international family that shares the same passions and ideals as ours. Let’s never forget our motivations… what drives us to sing in choir and to hold each other together to unite voices, hearts, souls… THIS IS OUR STRENGTH, the Choir… chorality… the Federation… a precious resource from which we can draw especially in difficult times. What? Now we can not merge the voices (unfortunately) but we can still be connected to share their situations and stay updated on the programs that the Federation will put in place in the coming months. We have received interesting proposals from many choirs and we are working to realize them: 1. Dedicated blog to communicate between the associated choirs; 2. Choral activities in streaming: MASTERCLASSES, SEMINARS, VOCAL STUDIES, REHEARSALS OF SONGS, etc … all on the net! We already have the support of important directors who have joined the initiative; 3. Chorus Inside score archive on the net; 4. Weekly bulletin on the situation of chorality in 13 European countries and in 5 non-European countries (Russia, Ukraine, United States, China, India). We are sure that soon everything will return to normal and that the desire to sing in choir will explode in thousands of initiatives and events! The smile and joy will triumph again in our choral festivals! WE WANT TO BE READY FOR THAT MOMENT and we will not let ourselves be overwhelmed by an unnecessary fatalistic pessimism. Therefore, I invite you to be careful in these days to follow all the indications that are communicated by the competent authorities and to reconcile them with the activities indicated above that can also be carried out from your home.
CONTACT US ALWAYS for any information (info@chorusinside.com) and do not isolate yourself. A warm choral hug to all!!!
15/16 FEBRUARY 2020 – CHORUS INSIDE FEDERATION HEADQUARTERS (CHIETI) Another important moment of training organized by the Chorus Inside Federation, with one of the most important Conductors and Teachers in choral direction, Maestro Pasquale Veleno. 16 hours of intense study and practical exercises until the final exam with the laboratory choir "Dulcis in Canto" of Roseto degli Abruzzi. We thank all the students for having joined this project with the right spirit and with the desire to grow artistically and professionally … we address a sincere thanks to Letizia Triozzi who made the Laboratory Choir available and to Maurizio Chiavaroli for having musically supported the rehearsals of the students. Finally, we embrace our legendary Conductor, Pasquale Veleno, who masterfully led the Masterclass in a joyful and friendly atmosphere. THANK YOU ALL!! View photos
