Protocols for 2020/21 School Year
As we shift into a new year full of new challenges, our music program and students also need to shift to ensure everyone may still make music in the safest way possible. Below you will find the Health & Safety protocols that all students must abide by. Failure to do so may result in students being asked to exit the program, as we want to ensure everyone feels safe and comfortable in experiencing music at ADSS. If you are looking for information in regards to the rational behind these decisions, please look for the research out of the University of Colorado in relation to aerosols and music making. Other studies have also been completed out of Germany and show great evidence of how we can still make music, but in a safe and slightly different manner.
As we shift into a new year full of new challenges, our music program and students also need to shift to ensure everyone may still make music in the safest way possible. Below you will find the Health & Safety protocols that all students must abide by. Failure to do so may result in students being asked to exit the program, as we want to ensure everyone feels safe and comfortable in experiencing music at ADSS. If you are looking for information in regards to the rational behind these decisions, please look for the research out of the University of Colorado in relation to aerosols and music making. Other studies have also been completed out of Germany and show great evidence of how we can still make music, but in a safe and slightly different manner.
Masks
Mask are an important part of health and safety in these times and the music making experience is no different. Students will be required to wear a mask at all times during music classes, as this can help prevent the spread of aerosols from person to person. In the first classes you will be shown how to play and wear your mask for optimal safety and music making. When students are not playing their instruments masks are to be worn regularly. There are specially created music masks that can be purchased from our local music stores (Tapestry Music and/or Long & McQuade) but are not required. Students may wish to have this added comfort in these special masks, but they won't provide any further protection or safety, but can be convenient.
Mask are an important part of health and safety in these times and the music making experience is no different. Students will be required to wear a mask at all times during music classes, as this can help prevent the spread of aerosols from person to person. In the first classes you will be shown how to play and wear your mask for optimal safety and music making. When students are not playing their instruments masks are to be worn regularly. There are specially created music masks that can be purchased from our local music stores (Tapestry Music and/or Long & McQuade) but are not required. Students may wish to have this added comfort in these special masks, but they won't provide any further protection or safety, but can be convenient.
Bell Covers
Bell covers will be required for all wind instruments. These covers can be purchased through our local music stores (Tapestry Music and/or Long & McQuade). These covers help reduce aerosols in playing massively and are an absolute must during these times (as much as 90% in most cases). Bell Covers must be on at all times. If a student cannot afford one, ADSS music will work as hard we can to supply one to students. Families can help us in this endeavour by donating a purchased one to the school or depositing bottles to our local bottle depot under our express account.
Bell covers will be required for all wind instruments. These covers can be purchased through our local music stores (Tapestry Music and/or Long & McQuade). These covers help reduce aerosols in playing massively and are an absolute must during these times (as much as 90% in most cases). Bell Covers must be on at all times. If a student cannot afford one, ADSS music will work as hard we can to supply one to students. Families can help us in this endeavour by donating a purchased one to the school or depositing bottles to our local bottle depot under our express account.
Water Keys
Many instruments (mostly brass) come with a water key that is required to be emptied as moisture gathers in the instrument due to the hot air and condensation. This naturally leads to an issue during these times. Water keys will need to be emptied into either a personal towel (that is kept in the student's case and washed after every class) or a puppy pad (can be purchased at any pet store or some major stores in town, these will need to be discarded after every class). These solutions will keep the water contained. It is highly recommended students sanitize after emptying their water keys. This is a very important protocol and students will need to demonstrate they are able to follow it.
Many instruments (mostly brass) come with a water key that is required to be emptied as moisture gathers in the instrument due to the hot air and condensation. This naturally leads to an issue during these times. Water keys will need to be emptied into either a personal towel (that is kept in the student's case and washed after every class) or a puppy pad (can be purchased at any pet store or some major stores in town, these will need to be discarded after every class). These solutions will keep the water contained. It is highly recommended students sanitize after emptying their water keys. This is a very important protocol and students will need to demonstrate they are able to follow it.
Cleaning your Area and Equipment
After each class it is required that students wipe and disinfect their chairs and stands (as well as the area around them). Disinfectant wipes will be available in the music spaces, however some students may wish to bring their own. Instruments will need to be cleaned after each class (using the proper cleaning tools for each instrument) and brass instruments should be washed in the tub at home once every week at the very least. Students will be required to disinfect their hands before and after each music class. Any instrument repair or maintenance will need to occur outside of the rehearsal space to avoid any water or aerosols being unnecessarily released. If repairs or maintenance requires teacher assistance, it shall occur after a rehearsal after a student has disinfected and cleaned their instrument.
After each class it is required that students wipe and disinfect their chairs and stands (as well as the area around them). Disinfectant wipes will be available in the music spaces, however some students may wish to bring their own. Instruments will need to be cleaned after each class (using the proper cleaning tools for each instrument) and brass instruments should be washed in the tub at home once every week at the very least. Students will be required to disinfect their hands before and after each music class. Any instrument repair or maintenance will need to occur outside of the rehearsal space to avoid any water or aerosols being unnecessarily released. If repairs or maintenance requires teacher assistance, it shall occur after a rehearsal after a student has disinfected and cleaned their instrument.
Using the Equipment Storage Room
Our equipment and storage rooms will work differently to previous years. Students who play Flute or Clarinet or Oboe will be required to store their instruments in their lockers or backpacks. Any other instruments will be allowed to use the storage room. The storage room will be one way traffic, starting in Mr.Kynoch's music room (the larger room), moving through the storage, and exiting through Mr.Gaucher's Room (the smaller room). Music folder storage will be available after exiting the instrument storage room, however we ask that if you can keep your music with your instrument in the storage room, or in your locker/backpack that you do, as this will allow for less traffic. Students will have the option at the end of the day to also depart out the back door once exiting the storage room. Guitar players will be allowed to use the guitar room, but only person will be allowed in the room at a time, if you are waiting you will be required to give 2 meters distance from the person in front of you, and then exit through the main storage room like all other musicians. Percussionists will not be allowed to store sticks or music in the spaces and must provide their own. Senior Band members will have their leather folders and their usual container for storage after exiting the main storage room.
Our equipment and storage rooms will work differently to previous years. Students who play Flute or Clarinet or Oboe will be required to store their instruments in their lockers or backpacks. Any other instruments will be allowed to use the storage room. The storage room will be one way traffic, starting in Mr.Kynoch's music room (the larger room), moving through the storage, and exiting through Mr.Gaucher's Room (the smaller room). Music folder storage will be available after exiting the instrument storage room, however we ask that if you can keep your music with your instrument in the storage room, or in your locker/backpack that you do, as this will allow for less traffic. Students will have the option at the end of the day to also depart out the back door once exiting the storage room. Guitar players will be allowed to use the guitar room, but only person will be allowed in the room at a time, if you are waiting you will be required to give 2 meters distance from the person in front of you, and then exit through the main storage room like all other musicians. Percussionists will not be allowed to store sticks or music in the spaces and must provide their own. Senior Band members will have their leather folders and their usual container for storage after exiting the main storage room.
Seating and Spaces
As we work to keep everyone in a safe space and environment, we will be providing the appropriate 2 meters distance around from each musician. To avoid any spacing issues, students will be assigned a seat for their rehearsals. Musicians MUST take their assigned seats and cannot trade spaces. These seating charts will be posted on a new page "rehearsal spaces and seating". Each ensemble will have assigned spaces (either the theatre, or the large music room) and assigned seats. Some ensembles may use both spaces during a week so check carefully as to where you will be seated. Please check carefully as to which Term it is and where your rehearsals take place as this will change throughout the year. Regardless of where or when you are making music, please respect EVERYONE and their space. Ensure you keep the appropriate distance between you and your fellow musicians so we can all make meaningful music together.
As we work to keep everyone in a safe space and environment, we will be providing the appropriate 2 meters distance around from each musician. To avoid any spacing issues, students will be assigned a seat for their rehearsals. Musicians MUST take their assigned seats and cannot trade spaces. These seating charts will be posted on a new page "rehearsal spaces and seating". Each ensemble will have assigned spaces (either the theatre, or the large music room) and assigned seats. Some ensembles may use both spaces during a week so check carefully as to where you will be seated. Please check carefully as to which Term it is and where your rehearsals take place as this will change throughout the year. Regardless of where or when you are making music, please respect EVERYONE and their space. Ensure you keep the appropriate distance between you and your fellow musicians so we can all make meaningful music together.