Home › Fred Fox School of Music COVID-19 Updates

This page will serve as the central location for all Fred Fox School of Music COVID-related announcements. We will be consistently assessing needs and following the guidelines of the university and health officials, updating information as it becomes available.
For information about the University’s “Test, Trace, Treat” plan, Campus Life, Campus Health, UA Admissions deferment options, and more please visit the University of Arizona COVID-19 website: https://covid19.arizona.edu/
For Arizona Arts COVID-19 Updates and Resources visit: https://cfa.arizona.edu/covid-19-information

Welcome to the Fred Fox School of Music at the University of Arizona.

The faculty and staff have been diligent in preparing for all modalities of instruction this fall semester. In addition to what we can do to create a safe environment for classes in our facilities, we will expect that every student in music follows behaviors that sustain their health and safety outside of classes. Covid-19 is a contagious and virulent virus that is often underestimated. We expect that every student will do everything possible to reduce the risk of getting the virus, and to reduce the risk of transmission to others. Every person who enters our facilities or who interacts with other music students and employees must protect themselves and others through social distancing, masking up, washing hands, and being vigilant in every way possible. We will require this of our music population – 24/7. This means that while our students are not on campus, they will be expected to behave with complete respect for the seriousness of this pandemic. We are pledging, as described below, our efforts to keep our musicians as safe as possible. We will ask for a similar pledge in return from the very students we are here to serve.

Many of our courses, lessons, and ensembles will begin the semester through a live-online format as we ease into the semester or they may continue to offer lessons only online throughout the semester. If the courses in which you have enrolled indicated either live-in-person or flex modalities, please be in contact with your instructors, if they haven’t already contacted you, to ensure that you are aware of the plan for meeting as a class, ensemble, or studio lesson. We have scheduled rooms in both the Music Building and in Centennial Hall to accommodate the distancing needs we have for both studio lessons and ensembles so, again, please stay in contact with your instructors to confirm your room assignments.

On behalf of the Fred Fox School of Music Faculty and Staff, we look forward to supporting your growth as musicians this coming semester in the modality that is best for you. We trust that you will share this information with your families.

UPDATE: Wed, Aug 12, 2020

Please come prepared:

Music stand: To decrease contaminated surfaces, we ask that you each provide your own music stand. This includes conductors, singers, and instrumentalists.
Hand sanitizer: We recommend that you carry hand sanitizer with you as it is convenient when handwashing isn’t possible.
Masks: The University of Arizona will provide each student with 2 masks. You may wish to have a supply of masks available to you beyond those. For wind players, you will be asked to provide a mask that you can wear while playing an instrument where a slit can be cut into the fabric. Please refer to the diagram below, under the heading “Wind Instruments”

Plans for In-Person Classes

Masks

There will be strict enforcement for all faculty, staff and students of wearing a mask when inside all of the facilities associated with music courses, at all times. They should be well fit – over the nose, under the chin, no gaps.
For health concerns, please contact the Disability Resource Center.
Instrumentalists will need masks with a slit to allow for using your mouthpiece during ensemble rehearsal and practice sessions in addition to a mask without a slit that would be worn at all other times.

Distancing

A distance of 6 feet will be required within the building, including standing in the hallways, sitting in chairs/desks, occupying common areas, and attending lecture courses.
A distance of 12 feet will be required between all musicians and instructors where music-making takes place, including all lessons, ensembles, and performances.
To avoid congregating in hallways outside of classrooms, arrive just prior to the start time of each class ready to begin, and sanitize the chair/desk/area where you will sit.
The number of students in each class have been reduced corresponding with social-distancing guidelines.
Congregating before and after classes and rehearsals is prohibited. Faculty are requested to dismiss classes/ensembles in smaller groups to minimize congregating and to allow for distancing.
If a piano accompanist is needed, the pianist must wear a mask and observe appropriate social distancing from the faculty member and student.

Building Flow

Pathways have been clearly mapped out for entering and exiting various settings and for use of stairways to enforce and maintain safe, social distancing.

Rooms/Spaces

Face-to-face individual instruction will be scheduled in larger spaces to accommodate two people with proper social distancing.
Online individual instruction platforms and equipment have been explored for increased sound quality.
Rehearsals and lessons have been moved into larger spaces to accommodate spacing needs, airflow circulation, and no occupancy for one hour.
Rooms in the Music Building and Centennial Hall and Patio have been secured to allow for this scheduling.
Treat all rooms with respect and follow cleaning protocols as indicated.

Length of Class Times

Length of class periods will be reduced to allow for cleaning to be accomplished between classes.
Staggered start/end time of each class or practice room sessions will be attempted to allow for safe and orderly transit between room changes.
Lessons may be held outdoors, if approved spaces are available, or in larger approved rooms.
Indoor lessons may include 30 minutes of playing/singing with the remainder of time used for discussion/analysis with both persons masked or may be virtually scheduled.

Airflow

Scheduling of rooms has been arranged to provide for 1 hour between occupancy for airflow circulation.
The building has been upgraded to MERV13 filtration.

An air filter’s minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) rating measures how effectively the filter stops dust and other contaminants from passing through the filter and into the air stream. Filters with higher MERV ratings trap small particles more effectively than filters with lower MERV ratings. In general, filters with a rating of MERV 16 or below are considered to be HVAC-system-grade filters for residential, commercial and general hospital use. MERV 17 through MERV 20 filters are typically used in surgical operating rooms, clean rooms and other contexts that require absolute cleanliness.

Cleaning/Environmental Considerations

Deep cleaning of the building will happen at least once daily, including disinfecting of high-touch areas.
Hand sanitizer stations will be placed inside the building.
Cleaning supplies will be placed in the classroom.
Faculty and students are responsible for providing their own stands, except in a concert/recital, and using the provided solutions and materials for cleaning the rooms they occupy for lessons, classes, and rehearsals, including all touched surfaces.

Practice Rooms

We encourage you to practice off-site, if possible, but we will also make available access to the practice rooms in the music building until further notice.
Practice rooms have been assigned to specific areas; your key will only work in the practice rooms assigned to your area.
Wearing a mask is required during your practice session
Always close and lock the door behind you when your session is finished
Do not share your practice room key with anyone else or let anyone else into practice rooms. You may lose your key privileges if you do not follow this rule.
Scheduled practice times will be required with one hour in between each scheduled hour for air circulation.
Cleaning the piano will be the responsibility of the student using the room and will be demonstrated in a video.

Cleaning the digital pianos in Rm. 121:

Wash your hands before you come into the lab.
Clean the keyboard and bench with wipes.
Sanitize hands.
Participate in class.
Clean the keyboard and bench for next student.
Wash hands.

GTA Shared Offices

Graduate students sharing offices must wear masks, ensure 6-feet distancing or develop office scheduling that includes 6 ft. distancing, and observe all expectations of these protocols.

Ensembles & Performances:

All ensembles will follow these basic guidelines:

There will be no full large ensemble rehearsals in Fall 2020 –all ensembles will be divided into various chamber groups or sub-groups with rehearsals and performances held either in outdoor spaces, large spaces, or virtually.
Masks are required for everyone unless specified in the syllabus with detailed precautions and procedures in place

Ensemble Auditions

Ensemble auditions will take place this semester through an online application that will require a link to a YouTube video audition. Please check the ensemble audition website as this link will soon be provided.

Plans for Performance Experiences

We plan to be able to provide performance experiences for you, and for our Tucson community. Our performance offerings will be different this year, as much remains uncertain, but we hope to present works by our faculty, ensembles, and students.

We are exploring the following performance formats:

Outdoor drive-in performances: Outdoor performances offer the flexibility to have patrons remain in their vehicles, and for musicians and production crew members to be spaced out enough to ensure proper social distancing. They will be shorter than an hour in duration so that an intermission is not needed.
Filmed work for online audiences: New (socially distanced) performances filmed on our stages and presented via an online platform will allow us to share our music-making with others. Performances will be filmed at different times to allow for ample distancing, and then edited together to create a program for online viewers.
Livestreaming: We will continue to include events that will be livestreamed as a concert and recital performance opportunity.

COVID mitigation measures for all rehearsals and performances:

The rehearsal and performance process will follow all COVID-19 mitigation strategies already laid out for musicians and the campus community such as social distancing, wearing masks, wellness checks, etc. Currently there are no plans to invite a live audience to our performances in Crowder or Holsclaw Hall.

Wind Instruments: for lessons, ensembles, tech/methods courses

Students playing wind instruments may use a mask with a slit cut into the fabric to enable playing on the mouthpiece. When not playing, students will need to use their regular mask to cover their face. The “slit-mask” is not to be worn where normal face coverings are required.
Wind instruments (except flute, bassoon, and possible French Horn) should make or acquire a bell cover. Double-Layer polyester/spandex fabric stretches over bell. Just like with face masks, multiple layers are more effective at blocking small particles than single layers.

Beware of cheap, single-ply or homemade covers made out of super-stretched nylon. Home-sewn bell covers using 2 (or more) layers of tightly woven fabric is best.

We are working on acquiring MERV13 fabric to cut a filter to place between your bell cover and your instrument. This can also be generally found at home stores like Home Depot, for instance. An air filter’s minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) rating measures how effectively the filter stops dust and other contaminants from passing through the filter and into the air stream. Filters with higher MERV ratings trap small particles more effectively than filters with lower MERV ratings. In general, filters with a rating of MERV 16 or below are considered to be HVAC-system-grade filters for residential, commercial and general hospital use. MERV 17 through MERV 20 filters are typically used in surgical operating rooms, clean rooms and other contexts that require absolute cleanliness. However, higher MERV numbers don’t always mean better as using a higher rating actually is very restrictive to playing the instrument and constricts the production of sound.
We are working on acquiring MERV13 fabric to cut a filter to place between your bell cover and your instrument.
Students should collect water from their instruments responsibly by gently emptying on a provided “puppy pad” and dispose in the garbage. No water will be expelled onto floors or common surfaces.
No air should be forced through the instrument or its parts to expel water.
No air should be used to clean waterlogged keys (i.e., blowing out tone holes).
Instrument swabs should be handled with care.
No instrument reeds should be shared.
No buzzing on mouthpieces as this may produce more aerosols and droplets than most other activities.
Aerosol minimization strategies for pieces requiring extended techniques should be discussed with the course instructor.
Students are responsible for cleaning music stands, keyboards and other touched surfaces before and after rehearsals (supplies and instructions provided).
Students must not wait outside the rehearsal room door in a group before rehearsal. Six-foot distancing must be maintained.
Sheet music will be delivered in a digital format in most cases.
Talking will be limited.
In the event whereby an ensemble member contracts COVID-19, the established UA Policies for treating and tracing will be observed.

Fred Fox School of Music COVID-19 Updates

This page will serve as the central location for all Fred Fox School of Music COVID-related announcements. We will be consistently assessing needs and following the guidelines of the university and health officials, updating information as it becomes available.

For information about the University’s “Test, Trace, Treat” plan, Campus Life, Campus Health, UA Admissions deferment options, and more please visit the University of Arizona COVID-19 website: https://covid19.arizona.edu/

For Arizona Arts COVID-19 Updates and Resources visit: https://cfa.arizona.edu/covid-19-information

Welcome to the Fred Fox School of Music at the University of Arizona.

UPDATE: Wed, Aug 12, 2020

Please come prepared:

Music stand: To decrease contaminated surfaces, we ask that you each provide your own music stand. This includes conductors, singers, and instrumentalists.

Hand sanitizer: We recommend that you carry hand sanitizer with you as it is convenient when handwashing isn’t possible.

Plans for In-Person Classes

Masks

There will be strict enforcement for all faculty, staff and students of wearing a mask when inside all of the facilities associated with music courses, at all times. They should be well fit – over the nose, under the chin, no gaps.

For health concerns, please contact the Disability Resource Center.

Instrumentalists will need masks with a slit to allow for using your mouthpiece during ensemble rehearsal and practice sessions in addition to a mask without a slit that would be worn at all other times.

Distancing

A distance of 6 feet will be required within the building, including standing in the hallways, sitting in chairs/desks, occupying common areas, and attending lecture courses.

A distance of 12 feet will be required between all musicians and instructors where music-making takes place, including all lessons, ensembles, and performances.

To avoid congregating in hallways outside of classrooms, arrive just prior to the start time of each class ready to begin, and sanitize the chair/desk/area where you will sit.

The number of students in each class have been reduced corresponding with social-distancing guidelines.

Congregating before and after classes and rehearsals is prohibited. Faculty are requested to dismiss classes/ensembles in smaller groups to minimize congregating and to allow for distancing.

If a piano accompanist is needed, the pianist must wear a mask and observe appropriate social distancing from the faculty member and student.

Building Flow

Pathways have been clearly mapped out for entering and exiting various settings and for use of stairways to enforce and maintain safe, social distancing.

Rooms/Spaces

Face-to-face individual instruction will be scheduled in larger spaces to accommodate two people with proper social distancing.

Online individual instruction platforms and equipment have been explored for increased sound quality.

Rehearsals and lessons have been moved into larger spaces to accommodate spacing needs, airflow circulation, and no occupancy for one hour.

Rooms in the Music Building and Centennial Hall and Patio have been secured to allow for this scheduling.

Treat all rooms with respect and follow cleaning protocols as indicated.

Length of Class Times

Length of class periods will be reduced to allow for cleaning to be accomplished between classes.

Staggered start/end time of each class or practice room sessions will be attempted to allow for safe and orderly transit between room changes.

Lessons may be held outdoors, if approved spaces are available, or in larger approved rooms.

Indoor lessons may include 30 minutes of playing/singing with the remainder of time used for discussion/analysis with both persons masked or may be virtually scheduled.

Airflow

Scheduling of rooms has been arranged to provide for 1 hour between occupancy for airflow circulation.

The building has been upgraded to MERV13 filtration.

Cleaning/Environmental Considerations

Deep cleaning of the building will happen at least once daily, including disinfecting of high-touch areas.

Hand sanitizer stations will be placed inside the building.

Cleaning supplies will be placed in the classroom.

Faculty and students are responsible for providing their own stands, except in a concert/recital, and using the provided solutions and materials for cleaning the rooms they occupy for lessons, classes, and rehearsals, including all touched surfaces.

Practice Rooms

We encourage you to practice off-site, if possible, but we will also make available access to the practice rooms in the music building until further notice.

Practice rooms have been assigned to specific areas; your key will only work in the practice rooms assigned to your area.

Wearing a mask is required during your practice session

Always close and lock the door behind you when your session is finished

Do not share your practice room key with anyone else or let anyone else into practice rooms. You may lose your key privileges if you do not follow this rule.

Scheduled practice times will be required with one hour in between each scheduled hour for air circulation.

Cleaning the piano will be the responsibility of the student using the room and will be demonstrated in a video.

Cleaning the digital pianos in Rm. 121:

Wash your hands before you come into the lab.

Clean the keyboard and bench with wipes.

Sanitize hands.

Participate in class.

Clean the keyboard and bench for next student.

Wash hands.

GTA Shared Offices

Graduate students sharing offices must wear masks, ensure 6-feet distancing or develop office scheduling that includes 6 ft. distancing, and observe all expectations of these protocols.

Ensembles & Performances:

All ensembles will follow these basic guidelines:

There will be no full large ensemble rehearsals in Fall 2020 –all ensembles will be divided into various chamber groups or sub-groups with rehearsals and performances held either in outdoor spaces, large spaces, or virtually.

Masks are required for everyone unless specified in the syllabus with detailed precautions and procedures in place

Ensemble Auditions

Ensemble auditions will take place this semester through an online application that will require a link to a YouTube video audition. Please check the ensemble audition website as this link will soon be provided.

Plans for Performance Experiences

We plan to be able to provide performance experiences for you, and for our Tucson community. Our performance offerings will be different this year, as much remains uncertain, but we hope to present works by our faculty, ensembles, and students.

We are exploring the following performance formats:

Livestreaming: We will continue to include events that will be livestreamed as a concert and recital performance opportunity.

COVID mitigation measures for all rehearsals and performances:

Wind Instruments: for lessons, ensembles, tech/methods courses

Students playing wind instruments may use a mask with a slit cut into the fabric to enable playing on the mouthpiece. When not playing, students will need to use their regular mask to cover their face. The “slit-mask” is not to be worn where normal face coverings are required.

Wind instruments (except flute, bassoon, and possible French Horn) should make or acquire a bell cover. Double-Layer polyester/spandex fabric stretches over bell. Just like with face masks, multiple layers are more effective at blocking small particles than single layers.

Beware of cheap, single-ply or homemade covers made out of super-stretched nylon. Home-sewn bell covers using 2 (or more) layers of tightly woven fabric is best.

We are working on acquiring MERV13 fabric to cut a filter to place between your bell cover and your instrument.

Students should collect water from their instruments responsibly by gently emptying on a provided “puppy pad” and dispose in the garbage. No water will be expelled onto floors or common surfaces.

No air should be forced through the instrument or its parts to expel water.

No air should be used to clean waterlogged keys (i.e., blowing out tone holes).

Instrument swabs should be handled with care.

No instrument reeds should be shared.