Band/Keyboard Registration

Band/Keyboard PLan POST-Covid

Partners:

We have compiled information and resources from our partners at:

the National Association for Music Education (NAfME),
the National Federation of State High School Association (NFHS),
Governmental boards in Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

Here is what we can say FOR SURE based on approved guidelines:

Students CAN participate in Band & Keyboard in SAFE ways this fall!
State & Local governments are APPROVING the ability to safely run these classes.
Fine Arts is ESSENTIAL to the physical and mental well-being of students across the nation.
Families WILL be looking for and enrolling in schools that are able to offer Fine Arts & sports.
AIMA stands with our Member Schools in being able to provide SAFETY and EXCELLENCE in Music Education.

Policies we are implementing for classes:

There will be NO sharing of instruments. (This point alone goes a long way to ensuring that every student will be safe.)
There will be NO sharing of music stands or music.
Seating Charts will assist each classroom to ensure social distancing.
A strong emphasis will be placed on the teaching of Instrument Cleaning to all students.
All AIMA teachers will undergo extensive training this summer in protection for our students.
VIRTUAL MUSIC CLASSES will also be utilized, along with virtual music resources available to all students.
Through DECEMBER 2020, ALL Band events will include ONLY the students of the same school. With help from local governing boards and educational teams, we will continue to monitor and assess if group events can proceed next year, in 2021. Our exciting multi-school DISTRICT events like Solo/Ensemble (scheduled for February 2021) and District Festivals (scheduled for April 2021) will be planned and approved on a school-by-school basis.

Special Notice for Flutes:

The biggest suggestions from the government comes for students playing the FLUTE, where fast & directed air blown across the flute's tone hole consequently travels outside the instrument.

ALL FLUTES will not have anyone sitting less than 5 feet in front of them.

Flute students will also be required to purchase the FLUTE AIR SHIELD, a $10 attachment to the flute that cancels the forward explosion of droplets! You can purchase this fantastic device at www.FluteAirShield.com for $10 (which includes shipping/handling!!).

Other Resources:

Should My Child Go Back to Band Class? Considerations for Parents of Musicians
"Music and Health." Harvard University, https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/music-and-health
"Vienna Philharmonic says no increased virus risk for orchestras." Barron's, https://www.barrons.com/news/vienna-philharmonic-says-no-increased-virus-risk-for-orchestras-01589820904

JUNE UPDATE (6/26/2020)

Recommendations for SPLIT Classrooms

A handful of schools are adopting a split-classroom model for the fall, with the intention that separate classes will not interact with other classrooms.

We are pleased to report that our BANDatory Social Distancing plan for classroom Band instruction for each school fall in line with government guidelines from the states of VIRGINIA, NORTH CAROLINA, and TENNESSEE! This means that we CAN still run Band even with other classes being separated.

Thankfully, this will allow students to have the thrill of music education, personal progress, and social growth while remaining safe!

Announcing the addition of virtual WEEKLY instruction option

All AIMA Band and Keyboard programs will now be supplemented with weekly VIRTUAL music instruction. Music classes will now be available in-person and on-campus each week, with an additional class offered in the evening for students to receive additional reinforcement on that week's lesson plan.

For schools anticipating a REGULAR schedule: this provides twice the learning instruction available to students!
For schools adopting a 1-week-on-campus/1-week-at-home schedule: this allows students to NOT MISS a week of music education even while they are home!
For worst-case scenarios of extended closure: this allows students to have some consistency and continued opportunity in the face of cancellations.

Since the COVID-19 event first began closing schools in March 2020, students & families have become more accustomed to virtual class offerings. While these are not ideal long-term, this will go a long way in providing stability and opportunity to all of our AIMA Member Schools and families!

#GoBand

American Independent Music Association