In its ongoing task of identifying ways to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in performing arts activities, a third set of preliminary results has been released in the aerosol study commissioned by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), and a coalition of more than 125 performing arts organizations. Led by research teams at the University of Colorado and the University of Maryland, the research study looked at vocal and instrumental music situations and determined their safety and appropriate mitigation strategies. Many high school music programs have been able to continue their programs from earlier information released through this study.

Among the findings from the study is that, foremost, masks must be worn at all times, and multi-layered bell covers must be used by all wind instruments. The best-case scenario for mask wearing is that the mask has no gaps and covers the nose; it should be tight enough around the edges that an outline appears when it is removed.

The Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) has released guidance to all school districts in Pennsylvania based on this research study. With the realization that every school district has unique circumstances, this guidance is a way for school districts to ensure schools are offering music education safely to their students.

The guidance released by PMEA is for school music settings and other places where there is live music happening. This guidance applies to both indoor and outdoor gatherings. It includes the following recommendations.

CDC guidelines related to hand washing, hand sanitizer, and clean surfaces are recommended in all music making activities.

Students, teachers, performers, and any support staff should always wear masks that are well-fitted. This includes anyone who is singing.

Instrumentalists playing a woodwind or brass instrument using air for production of sound should wear masks that have a slit cut in them for the mouthpiece of their instrument.

Woodwind and brass instruments should have tight fitting bell covers.

Everyone involved should maintain a six-foot distance from one another. Trombone players should maintain a nine-foot distance from others.

Anyone playing an instrument that releases spit or condensation onto the ground should use a puppy pad to absorb the spit or condensation and then dispose of the pad properly.

Sharing of music, instruments, and other equipment should be kept to a minimum, and proper hygiene should be in place when sharing does occur.

Rehearsals and performances should not last longer than 30 minutes at a time to allow for one air change before the start of the next rehearsal or performance.

Outdoor performance and rehearsal spaces are recommended rather than indoor spaces. Tents may be used outdoors but must have all four sides of the tent open.

The recommedations are available as a downloadable PDF at http://www.pmea.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/COVID-Safety-Poster.pdf.