from the desk of the executive director


Singing/Vocalizing • If possible, go outside to sing; outdoors is best and requires little to no mitigation.


• If meeting face-to-face, establish clear protocols for students to follow. Singing/chanting should begin as soon as possible to reestablish community music making.


• When singing/vocalizing indoors, use of masks, and physical distancing may be needed based on school policy.


• Consider “flipping” singing instruction; there are a variety of apps and programs that allow students to record themselves singing.


Physical Distancing


• Be creative with ways to alter games and movement activities.


• Think through performances and how to social-distance performers from audiences if events are held indoors. Performers and attendees under age 12 may be vulnerable.


• Proper safety measures as recommended by your local, county or tribal health department should be applied if performances are allowed.


Hygiene


• Work with your school’s custodians to plan for sanitizing of instruments and materials on a regular basis. Be sure to use chemicals that are both safe for the instruments and approved to be used in the school building.


• Develop a plan for children to sanitize their own hands before and after playing instruments and using shared resources.


• If proper health hygiene protocols are followed students should be able to use non-wind instruments in the classroom and performances without restrictions.


• Consider playing recorders outdoors. For recorder playing, there should be no sharing of recorders; students should be physically distanced when


Wisconsin School Musician


playing, and a musicians mask and fabric bell cover are recommended. For further instruction, refer to the aerosol study recommendations for wind-instrument playing.


Refer to the following for additional suggestions:


• NFHS and NAfME developed Phase II suggestions for general music


• NAfME’s Guidance for General Music Teaching during COVID-19


• NAfME and Early Childhood Music and Movement Association’s Teach- ing Early Childhood in the Time of COVID-19


Source: NFHS and NAfME - Return to Music: Phase III Guidance and Resources


Music – Grades 5–12 (Students 12 and over) The International Coalition Performing Arts Aerosol Study has released updated guidelines for music education classrooms as school approaches this fall. School lead- ers need to consult local, county and tribal health departments regarding COVID-19 guidance and transmission rates for ap- propriate mitigation adoption and adjust accordingly. NAfME has also released a version that can be used in conjunction with the study guidelines.


WSMA, WMEA, NFHS and NAfME continue to work closely with aerosol scientists and study team members to ensure guidelines are up-to-date as we monitor the effects of the Delta variant and its impact on transmission rates across the country. Updated guidelines are as follows:


Outdoors:


• Outdoors remains the safest space for singing and playing wind instruments.


• Mitigation is not currently needed for outdoor rehearsals or performances depending on the level of local and state transmission rates; however, every layer of mitigation lowers risk so musicians masks and bell covers would still be advised.


• Consider your spacing options for musicians and audience members when applying to large outdoor gatherings.


Indoors:


• Masking with appropriate material remains the best way of reducing potentially infected aerosol from circulating in an indoor space. Masks are recommended to be worn while singing, speaking, and playing wind instruments.


• Bell covers made from appropriate material remain the best way of reducing potentially infected aerosol from circulating in an indoor space.


• Wind instrumentalists should use musicians masks and bell covers along with distance, HVAC considerations, and time as mitigation measures.


• 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.


Resources:


ACS Publications: Measurements and Simulations of Aerosol Released while Singing and Playing Wind Instruments


https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsen vironau.1c00007?fbclid=IwAR2OenrIt- 5MoWRrjfhSsx7kqaczj0t7v5gX13OxTyU CYzXAZDvRwORTkg0


(Publication Date: August 27, 2021) Continued on page 10


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