Dear YSM students, faculty, and staff,


I write today to share updates on how Yale’s latest change to the masking policy, effective March 21, will affect School of Music activities. 

As I mentioned in my last message, this week’s pilot activities are laying the foundation for gradual unmasking shortly after spring break. We will announce the next stages of YSM unmasking after we assess the impact of spring break. 


Please note that the University continues to require masking in classrooms and other instructional spaces. Consequently, unless YSM permissions apply to a specific activity, masking will still be required in all YSM instructional spaces, including classrooms, studios, rehearsal rooms, on stages, and backstage.

 

Until further notice, students, faculty, and staff should continue to mask in all common spaces in YSM buildings, including lounges, lobbies, and hallways. Starting on March 21, faculty and staff may unmask in common spaces of the Sprague office area and 143 Elm.


From March 28 through April 1, student recitalists may still unmask for degree and required recitals. Unmasked wind, brass, and voice lessons may resume on April 2; unmasking by individuals during wind, brass, and voice seminars may also resume on April 2.


If you have any questions about these updates, please contact YSM Health and Safety Leader Krista Johnson.

The School is making steady progress toward unmasking in the areas where it will benefit your course of study the most. However, because of the unique risks from in-person music-making, it remains essential that we proceed carefully and introduce changes in stages to protect one another and the continuity of our curricular activities.

 

We recognize that some people are eager for unmasking, and others will still feel uneasy about unmasking. As the School expands permissions, be assured that you can always choose to wear a mask. As we take these next steps, please continue to treat one another with the kindness and consideration that you have shown through every stage of the pandemic.


Our work together is bringing us ever closer to a more normal music-making experience for our entire community.


Warmest regards,

Robert Blocker
Henry and Lucy Moses Dean of Music