Dear YSM students, faculty, and staff,

I am delighted to share the welcome news that the University has granted the following expanded permissions:

For lessons with faculty in studios and classrooms, wind and brass students may unmask and remove bell covers and voice students may unmask. For wind, brass, and voice studio classes, one person at a time can perform unmasked and without a bell cover.

• Lessons are allowed in classrooms and studios over 200 square feet. Studio classes with an unmasked player must take place in a classroom.
• Students are asked to mask when not playing. The teacher and pianist must remain masked. For studio classes, all other participants must remain masked.
• Practice distancing to the extent possible in the space.
• Observe a 15-minute air gap between sessions.
• A HEPA unit must run during the lesson and air gap.
• These permissions only apply to wind, brass, and voice degree students.

Please note that string players, keyboard players, and guitarists must remain masked for their lessons at this time. We are expanding the wind, brass, and voice permissions first because so many challenging precautions have applied to their activities as aerosolizing musicians for the past two years.

The new permissions above will be paused from March 28 through April 1, which is the week after spring recess. During break, many students will visit communities with higher case rates. To protect our campus from post-travel cases, all YSM students should receive two negative tests on their regular screening schedule before we resume these new permissions. Please note, however, that the existing permissions for unmasked recitalists described here will remain in effect without pause.

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

Looking to the future

If local and campus case rates continue to decline, the School of Music will gradually expand permissions further after spring break. However, it is essential that we proceed carefully and introduce changes in stages, as infection from unmasked activity is still possible and poses a distinct risk to members of our community and to the continuity of our curricular activities.

This week, the School will conduct three pilot activities to assess simultaneous unmasking for multiple aerosolizing musicians and unmasked soloists performing with ensembles. If these events are successful, we will apply these parameters to similar activities shortly after spring break, starting with wind and brass chamber music and Opera and Voxtet rehearsals and performances.

• Up to six unmasked singers at the same time: Yale opera students in the chamber opera Alcina, at the Legacy Theatre in Stony Creek from March 7-10.
• Unmasked vocal soloist with masked ensemble: one piece on the March 10 New Music New Haven concert.
• Up to six unmasked singers at the same time: Yale Voxtet performance in Marquand Chapel on March 11.
• Thank you all for your continued diligence, understanding, and patience. 

Thank you all for your continued diligence, understanding, and patience. Together we are making steady progress toward a more fulfilling music-making experience for all members of the YSM community.

Warmest regards,