In-Person Singing
There are myriad considerations for singing together in person, and different ensembles and individual singers will have various comfort levels for when and how to safely return to singing together in person.
Western Division ACDA suggests safety and rehearsal protocols for in-person singing here.
Below are some suggestions for how to proceed toward that goal.
Consult the Experts
Before you return to singing in person, I highly recommend you consult the best expert advice available to determine your procedures and practices. Sacred & Profane established a Reentry Committee that consists of an epidemiologist, a physician who is working with COVID-19 patients, someone who works in an administrative capacity for Kaiser health, an attorney, and others. This committee will guide our decision-making process and help us determine when and how to return to in-person rehearsals and performances safely.
While it may not hold up in court, you may consider a liability waiver be required for all singers who choose to sing in-person in a capacity related to your ensemble. It is important to not require such activity, but to make it optional until it becomes risk free to do so. Here is Sacred & Profane's liability waiver. Please note that it is a work in progress.
Small outdoor singing activities
Outdoor rehearsals and/or performances of a small group of people might present an acceptable level of risk for some singers. Sacred & Profane is allowing these activities, but not requiring them. Singers who participate will need to sign liability waivers. Here are some suggestions:
Consider forming singing pods, and define the rules for the pod that all members agree to adhere to (ie. members only sing in that pod and no others, don't participate in any other pods of any kind, follow strict rules for social distancing in other areas of their life, etc).
Sing in outdoor spaces such as a backyard or park.
Arrange for staggered entry to the area if entering through a gate.
Singers should be in a single line (not in front and back rows as we typically sing). The line should be as straight as is comfortable for singing, but do not sing in a circle.
Determine a distance based on research. 6 feet between people is not enough for singing! I have seen recommendations for 8-10 feet, 10-12 feet, and 16-20 feet. I would personally feel most comfortable with 15 + feet between singers.
Have hand sanitizer or an outdoor hand-washing space with soap and paper towels available.
Singing Masks
Two companies have created masks for singing: