If the masking mandate were ever to be reinstated, this page provides examples of the specialty instrumentalist PPE as well as FAQs. 

What does this look like for lessons or rehearsals for my child?

During indoor lessons or rehearsals, students can wear their regular face coverings while listening to class discussion or listening to others play. Then, when it is their turn to play, they'll take down their mask and play their instrument with the bell cover on. When they are done playing or need to speak, students will return their mask before speaking.

How does my child get a bell cover?

Students who played their instrument in school last year will continue to use the bell cover they were given last year. Students who are new to band this year or played their instrument remotely last year and are now learning in school this year will be provided a bell cover by the school district. 

• If your child cannot find their bell cover for their lesson, they should still bring their instrument to school to practice posture and hand positions with others in their lesson group or ensemble until they can find their bell cover. 

• If your child still cannot find their bell cover after several days, please purchase a replacement bell cover for your child from a music store so that they can fully participate in their lessons and ensembles at school with their peers.

My child is in the orchestra. Do they need any specialty musician PPE?

O rchestra instruments do not need any specialty musician PPE. Regular face coverings are fine.

My child is a percussionist in the band. Do they need any specialty musician PPE?

Percussionists  do not need any specialty musician PPE either. Regular face coverings are fine.

What about specialty musician masks?

During the 2020-2021 school year, brass and woodwind musicians also wore musician masks with overlapping fabric to minimize aerosol spread that was believed to be coming out of the mouthpiece area of the instrument. New findings showed that there is very little to any dangerous or concerning aerosol levels coming from this area of the instrument, which is why bell covers were only required at QCSD for brass and woodwind musicians and no longer musician masks. This guidance was also recommended by PMEA, the Pennsylvania Music Educator's Association.  Below are a list of resources for you to learn more about these studies.

Although bell covers were the only required specialty musician PPE for brass and woodwind musicians at QCSD during a masking requirement, families might be interested in additional masking options for their child such as the musician masks that were used in the 2020-2021 school year. More about these masks can be seen below. These options are no longer required nor purchased by QCSD for students, but they are optional for parents who feel additional PPE is needed for their children. Parents can contact a music store of their choice if they are interested in purchasing a specialty musician mask for their child to use at school. As always, if there are any questions, never hesitate to reach out to your child's music teacher by using the information found on our website's Contact page.