We understand that you might be concerned about COVID for our elementary band members this year. Since safety is our first priority with students at all times, we are following the Massachusetts Music Educators Association guidelines, listed below. Additionally, please find links on where to find a playing mask for your student underneath the guidelines.
Outdoors:
• No mitigation is needed for outdoor performances depending on the level of local and state transmission rates. Outdoors remain the safest space for performances.
Indoors:
• Masking with appropriate material remains the best way of reducing potential infected aerosol from circulating in an indoor space. Masks are recommended to be worn while singing and speaking.
• Bell covers made from appropriate material remain the best way of reducing potential infected aerosol from circulating in an indoor space.
• Depending on your comfort level, instrumentalists can wear masks only when speaking and slitted performance masks are optional.
• In spaces with good ventilation rates and HEPA filtration, increased indoor rehearsal times of 50 minutes may be considered. A minimum of 3 air exchanges per hour should be used, if there are spaces with higher air change rates, you may consider longer rehearsal times.
• Distancing may be decreased to 3 feet, adjusting farther or closer depending on local conditions.
• Continue good hygiene practice moving forward, including appropriate elimination of brass fluid.
• Plastic face shields only stop large droplets, not aerosol; room dividers inhibit the function of the HVAC system and are not recommended.
For additional information, please visit https://www.nfhs.org/articles/unprecedented-international-coalition-led-by-performing-arts-organizations-to-commission-covid-19-study/.
We will be providing students with bell covers (though they will not be arriving until October due to the manufacturer), but if you would like to make one for your student, here is an example of what to do: https://nwquiltedcat.com/2020/10/05/how-to-make-a-trumpet-bell-cover/
Flutes do NOT use bell covers. They will either use a blue surgical mask or a flute mask (https://www.jwpepper.com/Performance-Series-Face-Mask---Flute/11313936.item#.YS0RX9NKhbU)
Playing Masks - https://www.hickeys.com/music/accessories/face_masks_and_ppe.php
https://www.fischarper.com/wind-mask/ (for a free pattern and directions)
DO NOT order a face shield. They have not been shown to work as well as masks.