Band and Choir protocols outlined in the Employer Health & Safety Requirements for School Scenarios released September 30th generated lots of questions from schools already embarking on music programming or about to implement music with their upcoming return to in-person schooling.
Guidelines as outlined by L&I are a great concern for schools. For this reason, number of performing arts organizations have commissioned a study through University of Colorado, Boulder on the effects of COVID-19 to better understand what risks exist in performing arts classrooms and performance venues.
The goal of the project is to provide measurements and risk modeling estimates for particle emissions from the following activities:
- 5 woodwinds – Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Saxophone, Bassoon
- 4 brass – French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba
- The 4 vocal ranges – Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
- Musical Theatre – Talking, Monologue, Singing, Dancing
- Elementary – in Grades 3-5 (if approved by Internal Review Board)
- Aerobic Simulation (Marching Band, Show Choir, Dance, etc.)
To review the various WACDA Task Force sub-committee outlines, go HERE
The American Choral Directors Association also has an Advocacy platform supporting choral music education in K-12 schools.
