How will Covid-19 affect this year's music classes? 

It is no secret that school this year looks different. Many teachers have different setups for their classes. One new setup is to have music classes outside. The question is, how will classes go on in the colder months ahead?

On Tuesday, Oct. 13, the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced that they are allowing students to play their instruments outside, says Mr. Conant, NHS Instrumental Music teacher. Students will be playing their instruments 10 feet apart, left to right and Mr. Conant will be about 20-30 feet away from the students at all times. 

Some other safety precautions required is that students must wear their mask when not playing an instrument.  Mr. Conant explained that students may even alter their masks to accommodate a musical instrument with a mouthpiece. Students could have a little slit cut into their mask that they can insert the instrument into. Percussion players must keep a mask on at all times during rehearsal. 

Some days, students will practice outside if there is nice weather, but other days if it is raining or there is some other type of inclement weather, then students will be able to go inside and rehearse with the precautions of wearing a mask when not playing an instrument, and staying 6 feet apart. 

While students are outside, wind and other instrumental players are able to take their mask off down to their chin in order to play  and Mr. Conant says he will remain far away and stay at a safe distance.

Joe Dimarzo, a student in the NHS marching band, said that dealing with masks isn't really difficult because he is a percussion player. 

¨By far the most difficult part about the situation with Covid-19 is the social distancing,¨ Joe explained. ¨Although I can't speak for my peers, I personally enjoy rehearsing outside on occasion, assuming it's nice out¨ Joe says. He also explained how it is nice to have a break from practicing inside his house. 

Even though lots of precautions are being taken to make this year go smoothly and safely for this year's instrumental classes, it is important that each student follows these simple rules so they can keep making music together.