Westrick Music Academy’s top priority is the health and well-being of our choristers, our faculty/staff, and our entire community. While the public health crisis that is COVID-19 continues to evolve rapidly, at this time, following the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Health for the State of New Jersey, Arts Ed NJ, and leading research from the Coalition of Performing Arts Aerosol Study, WMA has concluded it is safe to resume modified in-person activities during the 2021-2022 season.
WMA will operate an in-person learning model for the 2021-2022 Season, with a virtual learning option available if there is sufficient interest. WMA will continue to monitor the changing COVID-19 situation closely and adjust our safety measures according to changing guidance from local, state, and national guidelines, and the best scientific research available regarding singing safely. As such, specific plans for each class or choir may be subject to change.
COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENT
To ensure the safety of all our students, WMA will require all students as well employees and volunteers performing in-person work with students to provide proof of full vaccination with one of three FDA emergency-use-authorized COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson). In general, full vaccination is considered to be achieved 2 weeks after the second shot in a two-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) and 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson). In addition, we highly recommend that all eligible members of the community receive applicable boosters. Accommodations related to medical or religious exemption will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and will discussed with the Executive Director. Anyone who submits false documentation or knowingly submits false information in pursuit of this exemption are in violation of the WMA code of conduct and will be subject to discipline. WMA will continue to rely on the most up-to-date medical information and public health guidance available to make informed decisions about our vaccination policy.
2021-2022 OPERATING MODEL
At this time, WMA’s operating model for the 2021-2022 season will include the following:
- All auditioned choirs will rehearse in person. Whenever weather conditions permit, rehearsals will take place outdoors.
- Other education classes (i.e., voice lessons, ukulele, Poco Voce), events (i.e., retreats, social events, workshops), and activities, including concerts, retreats, social events, workshops, etc. will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may be held either in-person or online as currently local conditions and guidelines dictate.
- At this time, we anticipate that concerts will be held with singers performing in-person to a limited audience if space allows (outdoors when possible due to weather) and available for streaming following the event.
- Choirs that WMA cannot accommodate due to current spacing requirements will rehearse at Stuart Country Day School in Princeton, which can accommodate indoor and outdoor rehearsals as needed; however, rehearsal location is subject to occasional change due to scheduling conflicts.
SAFETY MEASURES – INDOOR ACTIVITIES
Indoor activities, as dictated by weather conditions, will include the following safety protocols:
Ventilation
- Each indoor rehearsal and music room has a high-efficiency HVAC system with an air change rate in compliance with guidelines, coupled with air purification through ionization
- A brief break or room change will occur after 50 minutes of singing to allow for more efficient air change
Sanitization
- Hand sanitizing is encouraged upon entering rehearsal and music rooms. Hand sanitizing gel is available at all in-person activities and events.
- Handwashing during breaks is encouraged
- Chairs, stands, door handles, bathrooms, and other high-touch surfaces will be disinfected between use with EPA registered cleaners, and all enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols are followed daily
Health Screening
- Each chorister, or a parent/guardian on their behalf, will be required to complete WMA’s at-home self-screening prior to arrival on-site for any in-person activity or event
- Upon arrival, each chorister and staff member/volunteer will have their temperature checked (temperature must be below 100.4 to be admitted)
- Contact tracing and quarantine will be utilized should WMA learn of a positive COVID-19 test result by a chorister, staff member, or volunteer who attended an in-person activity
Distancing
- All choristers, staff, and volunteers will be required to wear masks at all times while indoors
- Surgical masks will be available at all in-person activities should a chorister forget to bring their mask
- Students will be spaced more than the recommended 3-feet apart (approximately 6-feet of distance is our standard for indoor singing)
SAFETY MEASURES – OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Outdoor activities, held whenever weather conditions will allow, will include the following safety protocols:
Sanitization
- Hand sanitizing is encouraged upon entering rehearsal and music rooms. Hand sanitizing gel is available at all in-person activities and events.
- EPA registered cleaners will be available at all in-person activities to allow for disinfecting of chairs, etc. as needed
Health Screening
- Each chorister, or a parent/guardian on their behalf, will be required to complete WMA’s at-home self-screening prior to arrival on-site for any in-person activity or event
- Upon arrival, each chorister and staff member/volunteer will have their temperature checked – temperature must be below 100.4 to be admitted
- Contact tracing and quarantine will be utilized should WMA learn of a positive COVID-19 test result by a chorister, staff member, or volunteer who attended an in-person activity
Distancing
- All choristers, staff*, and volunteers will be required to wear masks while singing outdoors
- Surgical masks will be available at all rehearsals should a chorister forget to bring their own mask
- Students will be spaced more than the recommended 3-feet apart when singing outdoors
EXPECTATIONS FOR CHORISTERS & PARENTS/GUARDIANS
Students attending an in-person activity must:
- Not attend if feeling even mildly sick or exhibiting any symptoms of illness
- Complete, or have a parent/guardian complete, the health self-screening assessment before arriving at every in-person activity
- Wear a face mask in accordance with CDC guidelines that covers the nose and mouth at all times when present for in-person WMA activities
- Abide by physical distancing and other safety guidelines for rehearsals and classes as set forth by WMA
- Wash and sanitize hands frequently
- Use the pre-designated entry and exit paths for each venue, including pick-up and drop-off
- Enter WMA using the Suite 8 entrance and will be admitted no more than 15 minutes ahead of their rehearsal time
- Enter Stuart using the main entrance near the flagpole, and will be admitted no more than 15 minutes ahead of their rehearsal time
Choristers must stay home if they:
- Are experiencing or have experienced any symptoms of illness within 48 hours of an in-person activity, even if mild
- Have answered “yes” to any questions during the health self-screening assessment
- Have had close contact with a person who has since tested positive for and currently has COVID-19
- Have tested positive for COVID-19 and must remain home until cleared to return to in-person activities by the health department
- Live in a household with someone who has contracted COVID-19
Parent/Guardian must:
- Ensure their chorister completes the health self-screening assessment prior to attending any in-person WMA activity
- Notify a member of WMA staff, in writing, if their chorister tests positive for COVID-19
- Notify a member of WMA staff, in writing, if their chorister is missing an in-person activity because they are feeling unwell, noting the symptoms being exhibited
- Be able to pick-up their chorister promptly from any in-person WMA activity if the chorister becomes unwell while in WMA’s care
- Remain outside any event venue while dropping off or picking up their chorister for WMA activities unless you are a confirmed volunteer for that specific event. If necessary to enter a WMA event venue or interact with WMA employees, volunteers, or choristers, wear a mask and avoid “close contact” (i.e., being within 6-feet of a person for more than 15 minutes).
* Fully vaccinated music faculty will be permitted to remove masks while offering outdoor instruction but will observe distancing of at least 8-feet while doing so
Updated January 31, 2022
