Updated September 9, 2021
On September 2, the Boulder County Health Department updated their health and safety guidelines, issuing a new mask recommendation.
At this time the Center for Musical Arts will respond in the ways described below.
The Center for Musical Arts is requiring all faculty and staff members to be vaccinated for Covid-19. We are also encouraging all students to be vaccinated as well. (Of course, we respect exceptions for health, religious, or age eligibility reasons.)
Masks and social distancing: As of September 3, the Boulder County Health Department now requires that masks should be worn by any person over the age of 2 while in any indoor public space. We will require masks inside the building until health department and/or school district guidelines change. Students and faculty must wear masks during lessons and rehearsals. For wind players, proper distancing must also be observed since masks can be off while playing.
Singing and Wind Instruments: There have been many concerns and potential dangers about singing in groups and playing wind instruments in close proximity to others. The CDC recommends that if people are vaccinated, groups can resume choral rehearsals in person. The information about wind instruments is not as specific, but since the disease is airborne (and not transmitted via aerosols as previously thought), with proper ventilation, air movement, and air filtration, playing in bands is possible again. For now, singers should wear a mask while singing and wind/brass players should remove their masks only when necessary to play their instruments.
As always, our plans are developed with student and faculty safety in mind. We are trying to balance all the scientific advice with what we can practically achieve while still making music together. We urge our students to carefully weigh your own risk factors when deciding if you are able to take lessons in person, and if not, sign up for lessons online. You can email Kathy Kucsan, Education Director, at kathyk@comusic.org if you have questions or concerns.