ACB Community Forum : COVID-19 and Bands
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 Subject : When to start rehearsing again?.. 04/30/2020 11:10:28 AM 
Sarah McElfresh
Posts: 19
Location: Newport News, VA
Here's a starter questions based on conversations with others: As states begin lifting or modifying stay-at-home orders, what are the things you are thinking about needing to do before you can rehearse again? Ideas for social distancing? Will you need to find a new rehearsal space either due to size or availability? What can we do to make sure our members are safe?
 Subject : Re:When to start rehearsing again?.. 04/30/2020 11:20:45 AM 
Susan Sands
Posts: 6
Location
Our band cannot even think about rehearsing again until the restrictions are lifted and conditions are considered safe. However, when we do return, it will have to be with a much smaller group of people at a time so distancing is possible. I also expect to be staying outside for rehearsal and performances. The school where we rehearse is fine with us setting up in the parking lot or inside when restrictions are lifted. I personally would be more comfortable in the parking lot.

Susan Sands
East Winds Symphonic Band
 Subject : Re:When to start rehearsing again?.. 04/30/2020 12:28:32 PM 
Gail Brechting and Frank Brechting
Posts: 5
Location
Along the topic of social distancing. My group has a long time relationship with our community college as our rehearsal area, percussion equipment use and library storage. So we cannot do anything until the college allows us back into their facility. We have been discussing small ensembles perhaps for a quick performance if people can gather again this summer. In the world of Community bands our older members are very concerned. I know in my group some are saying they don’t want to even come out of their homes until a vaccine is available. And I agree with them. I do believe however that when we can begin full rehearsals, we will see a large influx of people wanting to rejoin community bands. I see people dusting off their long ago instruments that they haven’t played in years or starting to learn a second instrument with all this time. When you look at what people are rushing to because of the lockdown, it is the ARTS. Which are giving people hope, something to do or learn, and the joy of accomplishment! The sky is the limit I believe for the community band world for gaining new members and sharing what we do best! Make music and entertain!
Our rehearsal space has just announced that we cannot be inside or outside with any performance ensembles this fall. We were hoping for chamber ensembles outside until October, and perhaps inside for 40-60 mins. once a week for the colder months. So now we will have to be more creative and see whe
 Subject : Re:When to start rehearsing again?.. 04/30/2020 01:09:03 PM 
Basil Kerr
Posts: 4
Location
Here in South Carolina, just like all states and the ensembles in them, almost all of our schedule has been cancelled or at least postponed. As we are nearing the end of the COVID-19 quarantine situation, a conversation is beginning among the conductors of amateur and professional music ensembles in our area as to how and when to restart rehearsals. Some are waiting until the fall to resume, while others aren't sure when or how they will return. Aside from rehearsal space issues (some facilities will remain closed for the next couple of months), how do we set up and resume under the "new normal"? There is no way a band, orchestra or chorus can rehearse and practice social distancing. I calculated how much space our 80 member concert band needs to rehearse and maintain social distancing. The only space that could accommodate the group would be almost a third of a football field. Masks and gloves are simply not realistic.

At the beginning of April, we surveyed our members using Google surveys. Of the 80 active members, 61 responded. The overwhelming majority of respondents want to return to rehearsals this summer and perform at least one concert, then take our normal break after July 4 and return in mid-August. A slim majority of the members in the survey are below 50, and they are ready to get back to work. The older members have some reservations, but a majority of them also want to resume rehearsals and concerts. When I asked our principal players and section leaders, they were all in support. I suggested that, when we get to rehearse again, the first thing we do is sectionals. They enthusiastically supported this. When I mentioned maybe ending the sectional with a short full band rehearsal, they were more cautious. The social distancing problem prevents a rehearsal in the spaces we use (we rehearse ¾ of the season at an arts magnet school, and ¼ at The Citadel Band Room) won’t accommodate that kind of spacing. If the “lockdown” is lifted and we are permitted to rehearse in either location, we may just do some sectionals to get everyone back in shape, then return to full band rehearsals in late August.

As for future growth, we were already growing in numbers and quality of musicians before this hit. I would like to think this trend will continue. Our mission to “Present America’s Musical Heritage”, thus uniting our diverse communities has become even more important as we come out of this situation. Our musicians are ready to resume the mission!

Basil Kerr

www.charlestonconcertband.org
 Subject : Re:When to start rehearsing again?.. 04/30/2020 02:49:06 PM 
Atlanta Concert Band
Posts: 2
Location
Our Board of Directors has met multiple times and discussed potential scenarios for us returning. As many have mentioned, several of the initial decisions are out of our control. When will our rehearsal venue allow us back? When will our performance venues allow us back? When will restrictions on gatherings be removed? Most importantly to us, and something we've discussed in our full group Zoom meetings, when will we have a quorum of people willing to return? We have promised that no one will lose their spot in the group because of their unwillingness to return anytime soon.

We are meeting regularly and updating everyone as information comes in. We have already had one concert cancelled and six more planned for 2020. I doubt we will get many of those in.

Paul Scanling
Atlanta Concert Band
 Subject : Re:When to start rehearsing again?.. 04/30/2020 03:20:52 PM 
Michael Chase
Posts: 4
Location: McSherrystown, PA
I am interested in obtaining your thoughts on how to cope with COVID.

As musicians, conductors and band directors, we all must balance the desire to resume rehearsals and performances with the interest in doing so without putting ourselves, fellow musicians and audiences at risk, if not liability. We certainly are not alone in this.

Many of our fine national performance ensembles have canceled performances for the foreseeable future, while some more local and regional organizations understandably are clamoring to “get started again.” I believe we all would like to see these decisions made with appropriate caution, based on reliable information, but that information, at least at this time, is difficult to obtain.

We know that this disease is spread predominantly through exhaled breath mist and respiratory droplets and can be lethal to more people than first thought. We also know that location and timing can have a significant influence on transmission risk. Inasmuch as most of our craft involves breathing/blowing into instruments while in close contact with each other, the example of the March 10 choir rehearsal and subsequent fatal COVID outbreak in Washington state makes considerations for the resumption of our ensembles and performances a serious undertaking. The question whether anyone unknowingly will be placing their health or that of others at risk by playing a wind instrument in an ensemble setting therefore is a serious one. Some of the larger public policy decisions concerning gatherings eventually may be legislated for us through statutes and/or regulations established by our government agencies. However, preliminary considerations such as the timing of possible resumption of rehearsals and the rescheduling and scheduling of performances in the upcoming days/weeks/months have caused me to begin searching for the best available factual information now, so we can have access to the best available information and don’t have to rely on guesswork or hunches.

As I begin looking for such information, I wonder whether any of you are aware of a source or sources already looking at these questions. If you do, I ask that you kindly share it/them with me. Of course, I’ll be happy to consolidate the information and share it with everyone in exchange.

I am also distributing this request to many of my contacts who are musicians and/or
directors of bands and orchestras. Please feel free to further share this request with anyone that you may know within or outside of the musical or medical community who may be able to provide input.
 Subject : Re:When to start rehearsing again?.. 04/30/2020 05:25:22 PM 
Greenville Concert Band
Posts: 1
Location
Where spreading Covid is concerned, is band more dangerous than other activities because we are blowing into our instruments?
 Subject : Re:When to start rehearsing again?.. 04/30/2020 09:58:35 PM 
Susan Hanline
Posts: 4
Location
The Calder City Concert Band in Grand Rapids, Michigan membership is comprised of 60-65 seniors, with the average age about 78 years, ranging from one person in the 40s to one person in the high 90s. We meet weekly year round, our main performance venue is senior communiites and our main "concert season" is June-July-August. Our budget is supported partially through dues and mainly by donations from performances at senior communities.

The CCCB Board met last week via Zoom for an informal discussion about what we need to consider when Michigan lifts the stay-at-home order--based on what we know today. The general discussion varied "pause" to "proceed with caution" to "resume." EVERYONE in our group is in the "high-risk" category; almost everyone in our audiences is also high-risk. Our first hurdle was to determine that our conductors (3) are willing to return to the band--and the answer was a resounding yes! The next hurdle is ensuring that the church where we meet must agree to open the building up for public meetings, especially a wind band. The third hurdle is determining the how and when we could safely meet again.

Thank you Mike Chase for so eloquently summarizing the "elephant in our room" and our main concern: WIND instruments and germs.

Currently all of our performances are canceled through June. However, the Board will meet again after May 15, at which time the Michigan governor will announce new guidelines for the next steps. Socializing with other musicians is fundamental to our group so it is highly likely that we will continue to meet in the future even if a performance setting is not possible. A new "routine" and groundrules will be determined for how we can safely meet again and we are anticipating that some members will return only after a vaccine is available. We have not yet determined when we can begin again.

In the meantime, I will continue to monitor this forum. Be Safe, Stay Healthy!
 Subject : Re:When to start rehearsing again?.. 05/01/2020 07:48:03 AM 
St. Johnsbury Band
Posts: 1
Location
Our rehearsal facilities are currently closed to us and we are under Stay Home Stay Safe orders from our Governor. Many of our members consider themselves to be in the high risk group and may not return until things are "considerably better."

At a recent Board meeting (our first on Zoom)it was suggested that when we are allowed to have access to our rehearsal space we start with sectionals which will permit social distancing. This will also keep the groups small and I believe less of a perceived threat to our band members.

I find some measure of comfort knowing that the St. Johnsbury Band survived the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918-1919 and we will continue to perform when it is safe for us to do so. That parking lot is looking pretty good right now.
 Subject : Re:When to start rehearsing again?.. 05/02/2020 11:07:03 AM 
Gail Brechting and Frank Brechting
Posts: 5
Location
Here is a link to a lengthy article from Germany on when vocal and instrumental musicians and groups need to consider before starting up again and why!

https://www.mh-freiburg.de/en/university/covid-19-corona/risk-assessment/?fbclid=IwAR3IORePtWiWsSPmXKngCltth6TJRN3yDrHJd_uKF3w6KsgrkrTmCYgY5xYThi
Our rehearsal space has just announced that we cannot be inside or outside with any performance ensembles this fall. We were hoping for chamber ensembles outside until October, and perhaps inside for 40-60 mins. once a week for the colder months. So now we will have to be more creative and see whe
 Subject : Re:When to start rehearsing again?.. 05/03/2020 11:13:31 AM 
Col Thomas Rotondi Jr
Posts: 15
Location
Attached is an article recently published by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) that addresses guidelines for instrument cleaning. While geared toward schools, this article gives good overall guidelines for cleaning instruments.

https://www.nfhs.org/media/3812221/covid-19-instrument-cleaning-guidelines-pdf.pdf
 Subject : Re:When to start rehearsing again?.. 05/03/2020 05:03:07 PM 
Don Cushman
Posts: 1
Location
We must remember that ALL age groups are at-risk. Some of us are at higher risk than others, but so far, no one is immune. An unexpected observation has emerged that people in their 30s and 40s seem to be at higher risk for strokes when affected by Covid-19. Our concerns for safety must apply to ALL of our age groups. I would prefer to wait another year for a tested and efficacious vaccine to be widely employed before resuming group rehearsals. That is preferable to holding memorial services for former members.
 Subject : Re:When to start rehearsing again?.. 05/06/2020 09:16:10 PM 
Michael Chase
Posts: 4
Location: McSherrystown, PA
I'm attaching another article with references to the one posted earlier by Gail Brechting. This one may be more encouraging...

https://medium.com/@SixtoFMontesinos/wind-instruments-may-not-be-as-contagious-as-we-thought-b821e590b29a
 Subject : Re:When to start rehearsing again?.. 05/07/2020 11:12:57 AM 
Gary Gillett
Posts: 1
Location
Michael Chase's submissions are so very helpful in trying to plan.
Bravo good sir...more please!!

Gary Gillett, Missoula City Band, MT
 Subject : Re:When to start rehearsing again?.. 05/08/2020 02:54:46 PM 
Michael Chase
Posts: 4
Location: McSherrystown, PA
Another article with reference to choral performance rather than instrumental, but with solid information regarding transmission methods and rates of exposure. https://erinbromage.wixsite.com/covid19/post/the-risks-know-them-avoid-them?fbclid=IwAR2SKep3wKn8OVC8A0drCkWQ7hhpoQKax6U1yRZR7TMUAyBNiPxApwgfUBg
Last Edited On: 05/08/2020 02:56:30 PM By Michael Chase
 Subject : Re:When to start rehearsing again?.. 05/12/2020 08:23:58 AM 
Gail Brechting and Frank Brechting
Posts: 5
Location
Here is an article I just read this morning from a German Symphony, that is addressing the musicians need and the community’s need as well as how to begin thinking about rehearsing, concerts, travel and what it will possibly take concert halls to do as well as organizations. I liked it because it was from the “artists” perspective.


https://orchestramanagement.wordpress.com/2020/05/04/returning-to-a-new-normality-for-orchestras-during-covid19-recommendations/?fbclid=IwAR2egJvzbCKbL3AfhYDg1Zh8Ws0v0zbnGtn4hbb_i7DWVt0A8rgGVDtEQU0

Gail
Our rehearsal space has just announced that we cannot be inside or outside with any performance ensembles this fall. We were hoping for chamber ensembles outside until October, and perhaps inside for 40-60 mins. once a week for the colder months. So now we will have to be more creative and see whe
 Subject : Re:When to start rehearsing again?.. 05/12/2020 09:56:04 AM 
Scott Malbon
Posts: 1
Location
Where spreading Covid is concerned, is band more dangerous than other activities because we are blowing into our instruments? A question asked by Greenville Concert Band and probably many others.

This article doesn't answer the question directly but provides a lot of information to help evaluate the risks.

https://www.erinbromage.com/post/the-risks-know-them-avoid-them

Scott Malbon
 Subject : Re:When to start rehearsing again?.. 05/16/2020 02:14:15 PM 
Michael Chase
Posts: 4
Location: McSherrystown, PA
Here is a link to a piece assessing risks and possible solutions in concert halls.

https://www.middleclassartist.com/post/the-post-covid-concert-hall-catastrophe-why-audience-attendance-is-the-least-of-our-problems?fbclid=IwAR28EAn0sCnpzDjdKEPn5xB5_rObsQh0comGC545Q4AdFS9lUWYSltMVCgM
 Subject : Re:When to start rehearsing again?.. 05/17/2020 08:47:20 PM 
Sue Holleran
Posts: 1
Location
Here are links to recent news items related to playing of wind instruments and possible spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that I collected for my band.

Sue Holleran
Huntsville (AL) Concert Band

Scientific American review of virus spread via droplets vs. aerosols (refers to the May 12 CDC report on the Skagit Valley Chorale outbreak)
May 12, 2020 Webinar/panel discussion on the "Near Term Future of Singing" sponsored by choral and vocal education organizations
May 5, 2020 Newspaper report on Bamberg (Germany) Symphony’s airflow tests performed in a concert hall by Erlangen fluid mechanics company
(finds “hardly any measurable breathing air movements with woodwind and brass players”; laboratory tests to be conducted next)
May 5, 2020 Website report on study of airflow strength during singing and wind instrument playing, conducted by professors of fluid mechanics at Münchner Bundeswehr-Universität
May 8, 2020
 Subject : Re:When to start rehearsing again?.. 05/20/2020 04:52:50 PM 
Basil Kerr
Posts: 4
Location
Here is another article from the Vienna Philharmonic. (the Germans and Austrians are really studying this seriously!):

https://www.wienerphilharmoniker.at/orchester/philharmonisches-tagebuch/year/2020/month/4/blogitemid/1423/page/1/pagesize/20

If you use Chrome, you can translate from the German using Google Translate.

There are also photographs of representative musicians taken during the experiment. They can be found at the Vienna Philharmonic's Facebook page, either by going to the photos or scrolling down until you see them. The results are similar to the Bamberg Symphony/Freiburg University study, but they lack the clarity of the video from Bamberg. The facebook page is easy to find. The post is dated May 17.
 
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