Fall 2020: Information for Conservatory Students

Planning for fall courses takes into consideration the unique challenges related to physical proximity, use of instruments, singing and other factors related to safe physical distancing and health practices in the performing arts.

• No fall courses have been canceled and 60% or more of Conservatory classes this fall will remain in-person with blended instruction, including all performance classes. In-person classes in the Conservatory have an average size of nine (9) students.
• All in-person classes will be taught with physical distancing of 6 feet or more.
• All classes with singing will meet in a space best designed for ventilation and additional physical distancing.
• Because of classroom size limitations, 92% of theory courses will be offered online this fall.
• 50% of fall music history & literature courses will remain in-person with blended instruction.
• Keyboard classes will be taught in-person with blended instruction.

Classroom and rehearsal space assignments, as well as physical modifications to classroom layouts, will enable the practice of COVID-19 health protocols.

• 11 new voice-exclusive practice rooms have been created. These are large enough for both a singer and an accompanist.
• 13 faculty members have moved into different studios to improve physical distancing.
• The MIDI lab will be used exclusively as an open-access lab with 10 physically distanced stations for students requiring access to technology.
• Time between scheduled meetings in academic classrooms will allow for room ventilation times of 40 minutes or longer in most cases. 
• Two conditional use permits have been obtained from the City of Berea to augment Conservatory facilities. These include the use of St. Adalbert elementary school and the Community Arts School Whistle Stop location.

Performances and recitals on campus will be limited to participating students and sponsoring faculty and staff only. Many events and performances will be livestreamed and/or archived (as permitted by licensing agreements) for others to watch remotely. A full list of livestreamed and recorded performances and events will be available on the Conservatory of Music events page.

Outside these carefully crafted experiences, Conservatory students are expected to follow all health and safety guidelines and protocols established for all BW undergraduate students.

We continue to work with medical professionals, using the best available science, to inform our re-opening plan for fall semester. In response to new information, we have adjusted our initial ensemble plans for the fall semester. Plans are as follows:

The BW Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band will continue to meet in-person. These ensembles will focus more on recording projects and less on live performances than in the past. Orchestra and wind bands will be smaller in size and rehearsals will be shorter.

• Symphony Orchestra: Exclusively comprised of strings. No more than 15 string players at a time in alternating short in-person rehearsals. We will employ 9-foot physical distancing between all players, exceeding CDC spacing guidelines. Masks will be worn during all rehearsals.
• Wind Bands: Smaller ensembles of 12 or fewer players at a time in alternating short in-person rehearsals. Large ensemble works will also be used for recording projects. Rehearsals will be outdoors when possible, utilizing our beautiful nearby green spaces. We will employ 9-foot physical distancing between all players, exceeding CDC spacing guidelines. Customized instrumental facemasks and bell covers will be used throughout all rehearsals.

Conservatory choirs will be offered in fulfillment of large ensemble degree requirements. To preserve safety, the ensembles will focus on remote/online sung recording projects and/or other meaningful learning experiences in lieu of in-person group choral singing. Outdoor in-person meetings without singing may be possible when appropriate, utilizing our beautiful nearby green spaces and ample tents.

As many aspects of life in the Conservatory will be different this year, we offer a list of items that may be helpful in maintaining a safe and healthy protocol for your music study.

Essentials:

• Your own set of washable, well-fitted cloth face masks.
• A reliable thermometer.
• Ample amounts of hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).
• Laptop, phone,or tablet for blended instruction (let us know if you do not have access to any of these).
• Abundant cleaning supplies for your instrument, mouthpieces, neckpieces, bocals, etc.
• Towels or puppy pads for saliva management for brass players and low woodwind players (baritone saxophone, contrabassoon, etc.)
• Headphones for students in keyboard classes. This set is recommended.

Nice to have:

• Your own portable music stand that you would not share with others. We will provide sharable music stands and disinfecting wipes.
• Clothespins and other ways to secure music on your music stand when rehearsing outdoors.
• A standard CAT 5 ethernet cable for your residence hall room or practice spaces to connect your laptop or tablet to a network (provides better audio for lessons in blended instruction).
• Audio adaptors for your headphones to connect to one-quarter inch or one-eighth inch audio plugs.
• A USB microphone that can plug directly into your laptop or tablet for blended or online lessons.

Hours

Jones Music Library

Monday: 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Tuesday: 9:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Thursday: 9:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Friday: 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Riemenschneider Bach Institute

Monday – Friday: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Services

Reference assistance will be available, primarily on a virtual basis. Paul Cary is available via email, phone (440) 826-8074, Zoom and chat.

The shelves will be open for browsing. Users will be expected to sanitize the controls on the movable shelving before and after use.

Materials will circulate normally with reduced touches at checkout. All materials will be set aside (quarantined) for three days upon return. OhioLINK borrowing will be available but will be slower due to the quarantine period and other pandemic-related issues.

Please return all items, including devices, in the book drops outside the respective libraries.

We will be starting an on-request delivery service to faculty studios in the Conservatory complex. Items will be delivered in an envelope when student staffing allows. Faculty members can call the library at (440) 826-2375 to request this service.

Public computers will be available but fewer in number to accommodate physical distancing. Users will be expected to sanitize before and after use.

The photocopier/scanner will be available as self-serve, as it has always been. Users will be expected to sanitize before and after use.

Staplers and hole punchers will be available as self-serve, as they have always been. Users will be expected to sanitize before and after use.

Headphones will not be available.

Devices

Surface tablets, iPads, microphones and recording devices will continue to circulate as in the past, with a two-week loan period and a renewal possible. Devices will be sanitized by library staff upon return.

Safety

• All persons will be required to wear a mask at all times in the libraries.
• Physical distancing must be maintained.
• Food and drink are prohibited in both libraries.
• All users are expected to sanitize any surfaces or objects they use.
• Two wall-mounted hand sanitizer stations have been installed.
• Plexiglass barriers have been installed at the circulation desks.

Remember to check your BW email and revisit this page in the coming weeks as we update and add detail to our plans.