As K-12 schools and universities all around the world plan their online, in-person, and semi-online returns to the Fall 2020 semester, the question still remains as to how these schools will tackle the “hands-on” music programs and classes, if at all. Although many K-12 schools have been laying out their tentative fall plans, the guidelines for safely practicing music education have quite often been left out all together. Additionally, when superintendents and government officials do address trying to practice safe and healthy music, they are often vague as to how they’re actually going to execute these plans. Singing (especially group singing) as we know, is one of the easiest ways to spread the virus. So how can we have school choirs and orchestras sing and play together safely?
One of the most repeated “solutions” to practicing safe in-person music classes, is trying to hold all of the music classes outside in large spaces. Missouri governor Mike Parson just released his guidelines for reopening K-12 schools in August. Among his guidelines, Parson said, “When considering music classes, ensure that students remain in cohorts and are appropriately physically distanced. Holding these classes outdoors would be a safe alternative. When cohorting and/or physical distancing cannot occur, consider alternative music classes such as virtual instruction, music technology, music theory, and music appreciation.”
In the article, “South Bend parents who don’t feel comfortable sending kids back to class will have options,” reporter Erica Finke highlighted what options South Bend, Indiana school districts are providing for students and parents. The superintendent Todd Cummings said that students will have the option to enroll in in-person classes, continue with “eLearning,” or enroll in a new Virtual School program they are now offering. The South Bend school is trying to make sure all students and parents are prepared to switch to all virtual learning in the middle of the semester, if need be. Finke also said that South Bend’s “music, art, and PE classes will take place outside when weather permits. High School band and choir can happen with distancing and other safety precautions.”
In Martha Lily Dean’s article, “Music and other ‘non-core’ subjects to be cut from schools in September?,” she talked about some of the UK school systems cutting music education as a whole from various young curricula, and focusing instead on “core” education classes. Academia and STEM programs have often been pushed ahead of music education and the arts, so the idea that music will be left behind in many programs during the transition back to in-person and remote courses, is not all that surprising.
For schools and universities that don’t have large open spaces for proper social distancing and/or do not have the funding to get proper health and safety gear, their choirs and orchestras may have to largely decrease in size, or cease to exist for the semester. Additionally, trying to have synchronized performances and practices online is virtually impossible to execute successfully.
As a college student who studies music performance, a large part of my social and music experience at UNC Asheville has been attending and playing at local house shows. Particularly with college students, there is a large chance that many students will choose to attend house shows, and in turn dorm and house parties, while knowingly risking their own safety and everybody else’s. Musicians and music lovers in K-12 school or universities are ultimately going to have to find alternative ways to safely continue their music education.
