Luther College choirs are rehearsing in the empty Decorah Swimming Pool

Several days a week the voices of Luther College singers can be heard reverberating off the walls of the empty Decorah Municipal Swimming Pool.

"I was driving past the city pool trying to contemplate where we were going to rehearse outdoors," says Luther music instructor Mark Potvin.  He noticed that that city employees were draining the swimming pool.  "So I called our friends at Decorah Park and Rec and said 'Hey any chance that once that pool is empty we can start using it for choir rehearsals?' and without a second thought they said absolutely, no problem," says Potvin.

Since the pool is right next to the Luther College campus, its a convenient rehearsal location students.

Says Potvin, "It's great. I mean there are challenges to singing outdoors, no doubt about it, but these singers really rose to that challenge and I think they are willing to roll with the punches and accept that this may not be normal but it's still gloriously fun to be together, singing in community."

Luther's five choirs (Nordic Choir, Collegiate Chorale, Cathedral Choir, Aurora and Norskkor) are taking several precautions this fall, including utilizing outdoor venues whenever possible, wearing face coverings at all times and being spaced 7.5-12 feet in all directions, which may result in some larger ensembles being split into smaller groups or sectionals for rehearsals.

A video of the Norskkor choir rehearsing in the pool can be view at: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=940348299806619