from the desk of the executive director
Continued from page 8 it was critical that we deeply understand how aerosol disbursement works in a performing arts setting.
According to the International Coalition of Performing Arts Aerosol Study Report 3 released in November, 2020, “the study focuses strictly on the distribution of re- spiratory aerosol that is generated while playing wind instruments, singing, acting, speaking, dancing, and in a simulated aerobic activity, which may potentially contain virus. This study did not use a live virus and therefore cannot be used to de- termine specific infection rates. However, this study is based on previous research that shows the virus which causes CO- VID-19 can travel in respiratory aerosol.”
As the findings were released, we have witnessed masks, bell covers, HVAC improvements, and safety protocols being put in place in multiple settings. During this pandemic, the findings were essential to our music educators as they made deci- sions about playing and performing both outdoors and indoors. Once we are beyond this time, the research that was done should also support the performing arts with ways to prevent the spread of other airborne illnesses that can often impact a performing group or cast of a show. It may be that when a respiratory illness is going through the pit orchestra and cast of a musical, we will have new and better ways to prevent the spread and keep our kids and adults healthier in the process.
Relationships, Relationships, Relationships
We already knew that relationships are central to the music education profession. This is nothing new, right? Yet, during 2020, the need to consult with, collabo- rate with, and support our colleagues and friends in the profession has become the lifeline to our individual and collective survival. During this past year, we have worked together regularly at the local, state, regional, and national level to ensure we shared the best of what each had to offer. As an example, I was already con- nected with executive directors through National Association for Music Educa- tion (NAfME) and National Federation of State High School Programs (NFHS), but we may have had a conversation a few times a year. Collectively, we are now networked and meeting with other states nearly every week. As merely one example, Wisconsin has been able to support New Jersey with their first-ever statewide solo & ensemble festival by allowing them to use the WSMA Festival Music List, we have provided Kentucky with tools and talking points to support approval and planning of their all-state ensembles, and we shared resources with Indiana so both states could successfully navigate publisher permissions to run our respective festivals. In turn, other states have been equally supportive of Wiscon- sin by sharing their lessons learned, and we are all stronger for it.
Wisconsin was also fortunate to have over 40 of our regular vendors and exhibitors from the Wisconsin State Music Confer- ence contact list join us for our virtual event this year. Certainly, some came to meet music educators and secure leads to support their work, but most just expressed an interest in supporting our educators and associations during this most complex year. In the Badger state, we also have a new network, Wisconsin Music Strong, that has brought together nearly 20 state music organizations and businesses, and we will continue to meet to ensure we all have accurate and up-to-date information about what is happening throughout our education ecosystem. In a regular year, forming this type of group may have taken many months – in 2020, it took mere days as we knew we were stronger together while navigating instructional and educa- tional shifts in our respective schools and organizations.
I suspect many may share with me a sense of profound relief that 2020 is now his- tory and there is newfound hope as we look forward to 2021. Yet, there are some shifts that took place this past year that will serve us even better in the future, and we have the trajectory of 2020 to thank for technology growth, aerosol research and authentically strengthened professional relationships.
Reference: THANK YOU
Your investment in your students’ musical journey nourishes their hearts and minds everyday
“Unprecedented International Coalition led by Performing Arts Organizations to Commission COVID-19 Study” retrieved from
https://www.nfhs.org/articles/ unprecedented-international-coalition- led-by-performing-arts-organizations- to-commission-covid-19-study/ on November 17, 2020.
Laurie N. Fellenz is executive director of WSMA - WMEA - WFSM at the Wisconsin Center for Music Education. Email:
lfellenz@wsmamusic.org
10
January 2021
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