Music Department Covid Protocols for Spring 2022

 

In addition to university guidelines, the Music Department employs the following protocols for Spring 2022:

 

GENERAL

• Masks are worn indoors at all times. Faculty and staff alone in their offices may unmask.
• Vocalists will use vocal masks (provided by the department)
• Wind Instrumentalists will use playing masks designed for their instrument and bell covers (brass). Playing masks and bell covers are provided by the department.
• There will be a room vacancy requirement of 15 minutes after any class or activity that involves singing or wind-playing.
• Lessons, ensembles, and classes involving singing or wind-playing may meet for a maximum of 50 minutes per session before room vacancy requirement.
• Classes that do NOT involve singing or wind playing may meet for the same duration as classes throughout the a of the university.
• Music Majors Meetings may occur in the face-to-face setting.
• Office hours and advising may be conducted online at the discretion of the professor.
• Practice Room facilities are available through reservation and will remain locked, except for two practice rooms designated as always unlocked. The two unlocked practice rooms will use a sign-in/out sheet so students can monitor the 15-minute room vacancy requirement. These will be available on a first-come first-served basis.
• Studio Classes and Studio Ensembles may meet in person and shall observe all other ensemble protocols.
• Any online portion of private lessons may be conducted unmasked (assuming there are no others in the room).
• Students may rehearse with accompanists in their studios with permission of the accompanist. Otherwise, we will do our best to arrange rehearsal times in large rooms.

DISTANCING REQUIREMENTS

• Wind instruments and voice will employ 6-ft minimum distancing indoors.
• Indoor activities that do not involve wind instrument or voice will employ 3-ft minimum distancing indoors when possible.
• Outdoor ensembles that employ 3-ft minimum distancing between wind/voice performers may be unmasked and need not use bell covers (brass).

RECITALS & PERFORMANCES

• All recitals shall be allowed (departmental, senior, junior, faculty, guest artist)
• Performances involving singing or wind-playing may not exceed 50 minutes, with the exception of dress rehearsals and performances for Musical Theatre.

PRIVATE LESSONS

• Private Lessons will be delayed one week after the start of the term (to begin January 24)
• Private lessons for wind instruments and voice may meet for up to 50 minutes in one session per instructor prerogative.
• Wind and voice lessons may meet in teaching studios per instructor prerogative (supplemental filtration required).
• Accompanists may participate in private lessons in teaching studios at their discretion.
• Music Majors who have completed their lesson and senior recital requirements (as applicable) will be allowed to take lessons with instructor permission.
• Students may rehearse in-person with accompanists only in large rooms (band, choir, MHA, 101, 201, 202), schedule permitting.
• Private lessons that are able to switch from one approved room to another after 30 minutes may continue for another 30 minutes, such that room vacancy requirements are observed.
• Non-Music majors may take lessons in the format preferred by the instructor.

ENSEMBLES

• Ensembles with wind or voice may meet for up to 50 minutes per session. Ensembles that are able to switch from one approved room to another may continue for another 50 minutes, such that room vacancy requirements are observed.
• Music Majors may participate in a maximum of three indoor ensembles.
• Non-Music majors may participate in a maximum of two indoor ensembles.
• Ensembles involving wind instruments or voice will delay the start of rehearsals for two weeks after the beginning of the term per the prerogative of the professor.

BAND ROOM CAPACITY

• For aerosol-producing events, the capacity of the BAND room shall be 57 people. 
• All other protocols must be observed, including masking and minimum 6-ft distancing from an aerosol producer.
• Unmasked performers are not allowed.

CHOIR ROOM CAPACITY

• For aerosol-producing events, the capacity of the CHOIR room shall be 35 people. 
• All other protocols must be observed, including masking and minimum 6-ft distancing from an aerosol producer.
• Unmasked performers are not allowed.

MOORE HALL AUDITORIUM CAPACITY

• The capacity of the audience in Moore Hall Auditorium will be 84 (limited to 54 on the main floor and 30 in balcony).

SENIOR RECITAL AND GUEST ARTIST PERFORMANCE MASKING POLICY

In consultation with the Chancellor’s Cabinet, the Music Faculty has approved that students giving a Senior Recital and Professional Guest Artists (soloists) will be allowed to unmask (and perform without bell covers) during their performances. Note that Senior Recital Students must obtain permission from their Recital Committee.

• There must be a minimum 20-ft distance between the unmasked performer and the audience. 
• Collaborative pianists and other accompanying musicians must agree to perform under these circumstances and shall not be compelled to do so.
• All other existing protocols shall be observed.
• A disclaimer stating that the lead performers will be unmasked must appear in the program, outside the venue, announced from the stage, and, if possible, in advertising.
• Unmasked performances will be allowed only in the MHA.
• Unmasked duettists may be allowed (at the discretion of the Recital Committee for Senior Recitals).
• More than two separate soloists may go without masks (and bell covers) during a single performance so long as they do not occupy the stage at the same time.

JURIES AND EVALUATION FORMS

• Juries and Evaluation Forums will be conducted face-to-face (to include masks, bell covers, and observing all other protocols).

AUDITIONS

• Auditions will be held in the online format only through the end of February 2022. After that, prospective students may audition in-person or via teleconference based on their preference.