Dear CMS Students, Parents, and Friends,
Probably you, like me, have been looking forward to the fall (and things like SCHOOL!) while eagerly anticipating "the plans" from various educational institutions, wondering "Will they open for face-to-face learning? Or online-only? Or hybrid learning?"
At Community Music School we're pleased to announce our plan to be “open for business” for in-person learning when our fall term begins (Sept. 2)
. Things will look/feel a little different, and not all programs will resume immediately (private lessons and large ensembles are scheduled to begin immediately, while other group programs will be limited/delayed). The key element for our strategy is CHOICE:
Any faculty member or student who is not comfortable resuming in-person lessons can continue instruction online.
Approximately 75% of our faculty will be offering in-person lessons for students that would like them (roster/details coming next week!).
Here’s the summary:
1.
Online private instruction
can be scheduled with any CMS faculty member.
2.
In-person private instruction
will be available for many instrument/voice lessons, with
the following provisions:
a.
Masks
must be worn at all times while in CMS facilities, with the following exceptions:
i.
When playing a wind instrument, 15 feet from instructor/others (not facing each other).
ii.
Singing, 24 feet from instructor, facing in opposing/angled directions, wearing a face shield (to be provided by CMS for all voice students).
b.
6 feet distancing rule applies at all times.
3.
Only
large rooms
will be utilized.
4.
Reduced traffic/number of people onsite:
a.
At the CMS Centerbrook location, generally only 6 private students (max) will be scheduled in the building at any given time: 3 upstairs, and 3 downstairs.
b.
The CMS waiting room will be closed. Family and friends should wait outside or in the car.
5.
New Horizons Band and String Ensemble: we plan to resume in-person rehearsals for both these wonderful programs at the start of the Sept term, but at different (large offsite) locations TBA.
Further details can be viewed in the LEA (Local Educational Agency) reopening plan we filed with the state. While much of the template is designed for K-12 school systems, you are welcome to view ours
here
.
Another key strategy, of course, is flexibility! If state/health protocols and trajectories change, we'll be ready to adjust accordingly. But in the meantime, we look forward to seeing you, making music with you, and sharing music with you in the fall!
Best wishes,
Rick
Dr. Richard Wyman
Executive Director
Community Music School
90 Main Street
P.O. Box 387
Centerbrook, CT 06409
(860) 767-0026
rwyman@cmsct.org
