 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: tucker ★2017
Date: 2021-09-01 01:50
One concert band I play in started back with rehearsals in the early summer. We had to show proof of vaccinations. (We rehearse at the fellowship hall at a church and this was the rule of the diocesan bishop, not the band's). When the delta variant started sweeping through, the bishop suspended all non church related activities.
The other concert band I play in started back this month with no restrictions. This band is sponsored by a college where we use their rehearsal hall. 90 people in the room, no masks, no distancing, etc. I've chosen to sit out for awhile until "things" calm down a bit. Being in FL, what should be a public health issue has certainly become a political issue, so we're like the hot spot of the universe, I think. I surely miss playing, but for me I think it's best to err on the side of caution.
How about you guys/gals?
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2021-09-01 03:08
Caution for sure. We've gotten this far, let's not blow it. You can't force "normal" if things aren't.
For me the great risk for wind players and singers is INHALATION. Every phrase we're sucking in a large volume (relatively speaking of course) of standing air around us. Even vaccinated, that sounds like a bridge to far for me.
We'll see our compatriots soon enough.
.....................Paul Aviles
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Author: Tom H
Date: 2021-09-01 06:48
The band I play in each summer in NY did have 4 of its 7 outside concerts, with rehearsals outside as well (usually in a school). I was unable to play as the Canada-US land border was closed (We still can't enter the U.S. but vaccinated Americans can drive here).
I agree to stay away from playing right now. I don't envy you being in Florida. As G.W. Bush mumbled at the 2016 inaugeration "That's some weird Sh*t".
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Post Edited (2021-09-01 06:49)
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Author: SunnyDaze
Date: 2021-09-01 07:47
Paul - I think your response is so sensible. Your point about the risk posed by wind musicians taking huge in-breaths seems very right to me. I also am very aware that there is risk of permenant lung damage / long term chronic fatigue from getting covid, and I think it's much better to play it safe and enjoy life when things really are better and you can play safely.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2021-09-01 10:36
Here in the UK we’re back to “normal”. The government seems to believe that Covid is over, and social distancing and all restrictions were lifted in July.
It feels bizarre playing in a band again, with seats close together! We are yet to do an indoor concert but we’ve done a few outdoor gigs. Our audiences have been particularly grateful, one telling me that hearing live music again reminded her of seeing the ocean for the first time (?!).
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Author: Djudy
Date: 2021-09-01 15:03
Waiting for the other shoe to drop in central France... Apparently to get into the public building where rehearsals have been held in the pre-Covid times one will need to show the "Pass Sanitaire" meaning vaccinated or recovered; don't know about the fellow musiciens. My first greatest hurdle is just getting there - haven't been on public transportation since Feb 2020 and masking seems to be getting dicey here (although you can be fined for not masking nothing can be done about the nose outside jerks). So waiting, no rush after so long already.
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Author: Chris_C ★2017
Date: 2021-09-01 16:03
In the UK, the situation differs between the four constituent nations (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland). In England, the position seems to be that bands are slowly returning while maintaining some precautions (some or all of social distancing, but not necessarily 2m, face masks while moving about, specific precautions on brass spit valves and on flutes, wiping of touch surfaces etc...). Bell covers seem to have disappeared - science has been recognised at last! My band has abandoned the social communal cup of tea - people bring their own. We are hoping to start full rehearsals next week, and will keep a detailed record of where people are sitting so we can identfy and report close contacts in the event of someone coming down with COVID soon afterwards.
Some of the restrictions come from the venues, often mandated by a central HQ (church authorities, local council etc), so not negotiable.
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Author: davyd
Date: 2021-09-01 19:18
Here in the traffic-choked suburban sprawl they call Northern, VA, one community orchestra has resumed rehearsals, in a church hall. We're distancing (3 feet) but our performance space (in a different church) might not be big enough to allow that. Proof of vaccination is required in order to participate.
The other orchestra is set to resume in two weeks. We will use the same space in a community center for rehearsing and performing. But if we must distance, that won't leave room for much of an audience. Policy on proof of vaccination has not yet been announced.
Concert band is set to resume at the end of the month, in a school band room. In order to distance, we'll need to cap participation at 35 (normally we'd be 45-50). Playing masks, whether or not effective, will be required. We have no indoor performances scheduled. If the school requires proof of vaccination, so will we.
Post Edited (2021-09-02 22:21)
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Author: beejay
Date: 2021-09-02 16:49
My groups in the Versailles region are resuming this month but insist on proof of vaccination. I think I'll play with a jazz manouche group, since they are all guitarists, but I still have doubts about a wind band and a clarinet ensemble. Are there any reliable studies on the risks to wind players?
_____
The Musical World of Marie-Antoinette/McFarland
Post Edited (2021-09-02 16:50)
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2021-09-02 17:13
i am playing bass and alto clarinet in our community band . things are changing week to week tho as covid has resurged here in florida but for now we are playing . must wear mask when not actually playing and no socializing is allowed and large spacing between players is in effect. this is ok with me as there is less chance some clown will knock one of my horns off their stands .
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Author: kdk
Date: 2021-09-02 17:24
beejay wrote:
> Are there any
> reliable studies on the risks to wind players?
>
I haven't seen one, but that doesn't mean they haven't been done. The problem with the couple of studies I've seen is that either they were done from points of view that were biased to begin with, looking to validate already held beliefs, or they were done by non-musicians with no apparent input from anyone who actually knew how wind instruments are played.
Poking the end of a clarinet into a box to measure the volume and direction of droplets and aerosols coming from the bell is a total waste of time producing meaningless results unless the part you're playing is all low E3 and B4.
It seems true that I haven't heard of mass infections among bands and orchestras that have started up again the way I was reading about singers 19 months ago going down by the dozens in their church choirs. Maybe the difference is singing vs. instruments or maybe it's because most organizations now seem to be requiring members to be vaccinated.
Karl
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Author: Slowoldman
Date: 2021-09-02 17:52
Our band (48 members) will resume rehearsals in 2 weeks. When surveyed, half of our group said they would not return unless vaccination was mandated, so we have instituted a vaccination policy with proof by vaccination card. Only 2 members have declined.
The school that is our venue is allowing us to use their auditorium stage for rehearsals, which will allow more distancing than the Band Room that we usually use.
We have written policies about how we will handle instrument condensation/drainage, and what happens if a member tests positive. We aren't using masks or bell covers for the reasons already outlined by other posters. (Imagine the poor trumpet player who would have to take off the cover to put in a mute!)
BTW, Djudy, "vaccinated" and "recovered" aren't equivalent. Someone who has recovered but hasn't then received a vaccine (recommended in US, at least) has more than twice the risk for recurrent infection.
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Author: Kalashnikirby
Date: 2021-09-02 23:10
Well, after lots of... volatile situations we can actually undartake a project, where I shall actually play 1st chair in a concert band arrangement of the Alpensinfonie. First rehearsal tomorrow! My conductor and friend was insane enough to recommend me to the guy conducting this project and I shall hope this works out well. I'm a bit nervous about tt, but now there's no way out. :D
Anyways, re the whole pandemic aspect: In Germay, you're more or less on the safe side if you're vaccinated. To my surprise, there's a somwhat relevant amount of antivax people among the (hobby) muscians and it already cost me one good fried. Now, there's a certain set of rules and we're supposed to keep a certain distance between every player. Wouldn't be German unless there's a limit for musician per square meter, and of course these rules differ for non-vaccinated, but tested people. etc.
Still, most are really excited to play again, but for october and november, some projects I'd have really liked to participate in have been cancelled. Can't really even describe how to feel about this . Well, more time to practice french horn then.
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2021-09-03 02:39
Switzerland- just had my first rehearsal of Salome in the pit. Very large orchestra, no masks, less that 1.5m between each player. I don't feel comfortable, but it's my job and I don't have a choice. It feels very irresponsible- a bit like we're sitting on a time bomb. I guess time will tell?
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2021-09-03 03:59
Good luck to those of you who must play (to keep your jobs). I would think the vaccine and whatever common sense practices you can do individually can keep you safe enough.
Its hard to know if this thing will "burn out" like the Spanish Flu or it represents a new way to carry on with life.
...............Paul Aviles
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