As of September 2020, Fortismere Music Centre will re-open physically to the public. We have taken a number of steps to make this safe for our students and our staff. You can read the full Risk Assessments here. At a glance, here are the headlines of how things will be different at FMC in future:
Instrumental Lessons
Singing and month-blown instruments will not be taught face to face
Practice Rooms allow for 2m distance
Keyboards will be removed or placed against the wall
Tutors sit nearest window; students enter and take seat by door
Air-con will be turned off
Practice rooms will have windows and doors open at all times
MU1, MU2 and MU3 will not be used for instrumental teaching
MU4 will be converted to a piano teaching room
Online lessons for singing and mouth-blown instruments can be taught and taken onsite in separate rooms, or remotely, via Google Classroom
Tutors and students will be required to wear masks during lessons
No breathing/singing demonstration exercises used for teaching of any instrument
All lessons will be for 30 minutes only
Lessons for more than one instrument or longer lessons for more advanced players will be split across the day
Tutors and students will have separate copies of sheet music
Recommended that students use electronic copies of sheet music for home practice (iPads / paper copies made at home)
Two stands per practice room, after lessons students will be asked to wipe their stand down
Students will be asked to bring their own instrument; if they forget to bring an instrument, rather than borrowing one, they must forfeit the lessons
Strings: own instruments
Piano: latex gloves will be worn by teacher; instrument will be wiped down after each lesson
Drums: own drum sticks; seat and drums must be wiped down where appropriate after lesson
Tutors and students will wear masks during lessons
Choir
1m grids will be created within the rehearsal space so that distancing can be observed
The ensemble will be divided into sections (eg. upper and lower voices), which will rehearse separately
Tea breaks will not be provided
There will be a one-way flow-through to avoid crossover between rehearsals
The purpose of all rehearsals is learning repertoire, so loud dynamics, and diction work will not be part of rehearsal; diction will be part of homework
When possible, warm-ups will take place outside at a further social-distance; if not possible, warm-ups will be encouraged at home before the rehearsal
When possible rehearsals involving singing will take place outdoors
Indoor rehearsals will have all doors and windows open
Participants will use their own copies and no spares will be handed out
All sheet music will be made available online
By default rehearsals involving singing will be standing; by specific requirement chairs will be made available
Any equipment used (including chairs) will be wiped down before and after use
A PVC screen will protect the conducting podium
The room will be reoriented so that the conductor is closest to the open fire escape
Vulnerable participants will be advised not to attend (at their own discretion)
All rehearsals will be live-streamed so that vulnerable participants are still included
Rehearsals involving singing will be limited to 20 participants
Orchestra
1m grids will be created within the rehearsal space so that distancing can be observed
All participants will wear a face mask
Conductors will stand in a designated area, closer to ventilation
A permanent orchestra set up of 1-player per stand will be installed; these will not be moved, but will be wiped down after every rehearsal
Players will bring their own sheet music, printed at home
No hired sheet music will be used until further notice
Repetiteurs and accompanists will wear latex gloves where possible
Keyboards and percussion instruments will be wiped down after each rehearsal
These rehearsals are for learning repertoire, and will lead towards online performances or recordings
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