COVID-19 Protocols

Wearing a mask (including musician masks, bell covers, etc.) at CMSS is optional for all students and staff.

For those who are concerned about learning in a mask-optional environment, you may continue to wear a mask. If you choose to wear a mask, your teacher is prepared to wear their mask with you. You may also choose to take online lessons.

CMSS is a community that cares for each other. 

While we celebrate this step toward our “next normal,” we must focus on how we care for each other, even if our own risk perceptions and tolerances are different from others.

• Stay home if you’re sick. Please do not come to CMSS if you have symptoms consistent with COVID. Individuals who have tested positive for COVID19 may return to CMSS in person only if it has been at least 5 days since their positive COVID test, their symptoms are improving, they haven’t had a fever for at least 24 hours, and they continue to wear their mask until 10 days after their positive test.
• If you test positive for COVID-19 and have been in close contact with CMSS staff or student(s) in the last 5 days, please notify Sierra Simmons, Associate Director, at ssimmons@communitymusicschool.comcreate new email.
• Please wear a mask if you are well enough to come to your lesson, but still have lingering symptoms, or even a slight tickle in your throat, to avoid passing any kind of illness (covid, flu, cold) to others.
• Please wear a mask if you have been in close contact with someone who is sick with COVID or the flu in the last 5 days.
• If your music teacher asks you to wear a mask, please consider doing so even if the rules don’t require it. Keep in mind they may be at a higher risk or caring for others at a higher risk.
• Remain free of assumption based on a persons’ choice to wear or not wear a mask. Some may choose to wear a mask, say no to an event, or otherwise exercise more caution than others.

Specific masking guidelines for each instrument: 

String, guitar, percussion, and piano players, and music therapy/production/composition/theory students:

• Wear a mask that fully covers your nose and mouth during your entire music lesson, class, or ensemble.

Vocalists:

• You are more than welcome to wear the mask you typically wear, but it may be more comfortable to purchase a special singers’ mask. We recommend singers’ masks like this one with the MERV 13 filter.

Flute players:

• You will need to purchase or make a flute mask. We recommend something like this or this.

Oboe, clarinet, and bassoon players:

• Musician’s masks and bell covers will need to be worn during your lesson or ensemble. While you play, you’ll put your mouthpiece through your musician’s mask, and when you’re ready to talk, you will place a regular mask over the opening in your musician’s mask. Check it out in this video. 
• You can easily make a musician’s mask at home by simply cutting a slit in a disposable mask that you can slip your mouthpiece through. Just remember to bring an additional mask to cover over your mouth while you are not playing.
• If you’d like to purchase a musician’s mask, we recommend ordering a mask like this or this from Gerry’s Music.
• For a bell cover for your instrument you can just use a disposable mask secured to the end of your bell with a rubber band. 
• If you are interested in purchasing a bell cover we recommend this one that has a MERV-13 filter. Be sure to order the correct size for your instrument.

Trumpet, trombone, tuba, and saxophone players: 

• Musician’s masks and bell covers will need to be worn during your lesson or ensemble. While you play, you’ll put your mouthpiece through your musician’s mask, and when you’re ready to talk, you will place a regular mask over the opening in your musician’s mask. Check it out in this video. 
• You can easily make a musician’s mask at home by simply cutting a slit in a disposable mask that you can slip your mouthpiece through. Just remember to bring an additional mask to cover over your mouth while you are not playing.
• If you’d like to purchase a musician’s mask, we recommend ordering a mask like this or this from Gerry’s Music.
• Utilize a bell cover like this one that has a MERV-13 filter. Be sure to order the correct size for your instrument.

CMSS is taking its cues from the CDC and Springfield Public Schools, and we’re being mindful that some of our student population doesn’t yet have access to the COVID-19 vaccine. As infection rates and recommendations change in our area we will continue to adjust our protocols as well.

Thanks for your patience and understanding as we navigate these safety protocols this year.