Dear YSM students, faculty, and staff,

It gives me great pleasure to announce that we can embark upon a new phase of unmasked music-making, supported by rapid antigen tests in combination with our existing COVID precautions.


The new stage of unmasking will begin tomorrow, Wednesday, April 13. The specific activities during which unmasking will be allowed—and the essential precautions that must be observed—are described below. Additionally, Yale ID holders may now unmask in the common spaces of YSM and ISM buildings.


Unmasking is optional. You can always choose to wear a mask. Whether you remove your mask or remain masked, please respect one another’s choices. Although unmasking permissions are expanding, I urge you to unmask only when it will significantly benefit your musical performance. I strongly recommend that you continue to wear a mask whenever possible.


As you have heard, public-health conditions are fluctuating in some regions. Please note that if local rates of infection increase, it may become necessary to temporarily require masking for some activities. We continue to monitor conditions closely.

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

Thank you all for helping one another stay healthy. Let us hope that with springtime comes a continued expansion of unmasking permissions and a cautious optimism about a brighter tomorrow.


Warmest regards,

Robert Blocker
Henry and Lucy Moses Dean of Music

Clarifying the University’s masking requirement: what is instructional space?

Per University policy, masks are optional except in instructional spaces, on campus transit, in medical settings, and for audiences/spectators. Masks are required in all instructional spaces; an instructional space is a location where curricular activities occur; a curricular activity is any class on a course schedule (i.e. music history, lessons, seminar, chamber music). However, the School of Music has secured special permissions from the University that allow us to engage in more unmasked activities than other Yale units.

Who is allowed to unmask?

For specific activities, after taking a rapid test, per the precautions in the next section.
  • YSM/ISM students
  • YSM/ISM faculty
  • Yale College faculty-led ensembles

Who must remain masked?

  • Visiting performers from outside Yale and guest performers from other units; contact the HSL to request permission to unmask.
  • Audience members
  • Anyone experiencing symptoms or monitoring as a close contact
  • Anyone who has not received the booster
  • Anyone who has not completed the following requirements for unmasking

What precautions must I observe before unmasking for an activity?

You must self-administer a rapid test no more than 30-60 minutes prior to unmasking.
  • Your completion of these rapid tests is on the honor system; it is your responsibility to remain masked if you did not take a rapid test right before an activity. 
  • You do not need to report negative results on rapid tests.
  • If you receive a positive result, self-isolate immediately and contact the HSL.
  • You must be up to date with your twice-weekly Yale Screening PCR tests (no more than four days since your last test) and complete a rapid test. Rapid tests and PCR tests are not interchangeable; one cannot be substituted for the other. Both layers of testing are required for unmasking.
  • Remain masked if you are experiencing symptoms or monitoring as a close contact.
  • The School will provide up to six rapid tests to each student and faculty member every week; show your ID to pick up your weekly allotment at the student monitor’s desk in the Adams Center. These tests should only be used right before unmasked YSM music-making. Click here to procure free tests for personal use.

For which activities is unmasking allowed?

You may unmask for these activities after completing the unmasking precautions above.

  • PHILHARMONIA, NMNH, VOXTET 

    for all rehearsals and concerts

  • YALE OPERA

    Opera rehearsals may be unmasked at the discretion of the Yale Opera faculty.

  • CHAMBER MUSIC

    for all rehearsals and coachings

    If your coach or group members are uncomfortable being around unmasked participants, please come to an amicable understanding within your group that respects individual concerns and choices. If mediation would be helpful, contact the HSL.

  • SEMINAR CLASSES

    for any individual while performing

  • CONCERTS 

    for all students while performing

    - Degree and required recitals
    - Lunchtime Chamber Music
    - Guitar Chamber Music
    - Chamber Music Competition winners
    - New Music New Haven
    - Yale Cellos
    - YSM Commencement concert
    - Selected YSO, Yale Band, Glee Club concerts
    - Yale Philharmonia
    - Yale Spring Opera

  • RECORDING SESSIONS

    with a YSM recording engineer

  • WIND, BRASS, and VOICE activities

    (spaces over 200 square feet + HEPA unit)
    All of the above, plus
    - Lessons and individual coachings with faculty members
    -     French Diction class, as necessary
    - Individual rehearsals with a collaborative pianist or with an instrumental chamber ensemble playing on your recital

For which activities is masking still required?

Masking is currently required for the activities below.


To expand unmasking safely, we must do so gradually and in stages. We cannot unmask all activities at once. Although masking is currently required for these activities, we hope that it will be possible to unmask for some of these activities in upcoming stages.

  • PIANO, ORGAN, STRINGS, GUITAR, HARP, and PERCUSSION:

    At this time, please continue to mask during:
    - lessons
    - recital rehearsals
    - rehearsals with a collaborative pianist.
    Please note that you may unmask during all of the activities outlined in the left column.

  • NON-PERFORMANCE CLASSES

    i.e. Analysis & Musicianship, Composition, Music History, non-YSM classes, etc. Professors may unmask at a distance of 12 feet.

  • SCHOLA and CAMERATA

    At this time, masking remains required while rehearsing and performing with Schola and Camerata. Conductors may unmask at 12 feet.

  • RECITAL CHORUS and REPERTORY CHORUS

    At this time, masking remains required while rehearsing and performing with Recital Chorus and Repertory Chorus.
    Conductors may unmask at 12 feet.