COVID SAFETY PLAN
Being COVID Safe in Band
RPS Band Program is dedicated to the safety of our students. We will continue to follow the guidelines set out by the NSW government, and work with our school to create a safe and hygienic learning environment for our students. Whilst specific protocols may vary depending on the most recent government guidelines, below are some strategies we have successfully put into place for all rehearsals and events.
Plans For 2021
At this point in time, we cannot know what kind of government restrictions may arise in 2021, however we are confident that no matter what restrictions are in place RPS will still have an operational Band Program that delivers quality music education to its students. In the face of difficult restrictions placed on us in 2020 our program continued to function and our students continued to learn. Below are some of the ways we managed to engage students throughout 2020 with music.
Face-2-Face Rehearsals
Whenever possible, we will always try to get students participating in normal Face-2-Face (F2F) rehearsals at school. When rehearsing F2F we will always work within the guidelines set out by the NSW government and the school.
Online Rehearsals
If F2F rehearsals are not possible, our next option is online rehearsals via Zoom (or similar platform). Our conductors have navigated their lessons plans on Zoom during lockdowns with great success – giving students the chance to learn and practice with their band and conductor on a regular basis. During zoom rehearsals students are engaged with solos, group playing, playing along with recordings, listening, theory, and more!
Music Theory Classes
Playing an instrument is only one part of learning music – reading, writing, composing, listening, history, are all important aspects of this subject!
During times when music classes are possible, but instruments are not, our conductors us the opportunity to revise and develop the theoretical side of learning music.
Percussion & String Rehearsals
One of the amazing things about music is that no matter what instrument you play – it’s all LEARNING. Developing skills during a percussion workshop can greatly benefit all students with their rhythm and counting skills; whilst participating in a guitar/piano/ukulele class can greatly develop all student’s aural and reading skills. So, in the event we can have rehearsals, but cannot have wind instruments, students are still engaged and learning skills that they can take home and incorporate into their instrument!
Online Collaboration - Google Classroom
2020 has provided many music programs with the opportunity to expand and update their educational tool box.
By engaging students in online learning platforms such as Google Classroom, conductors are able to monitor and communicate with students throughout the entire week (rather than just once or twice at rehearsal).
It also gives students a way to interact with their band peers throughout the entire week – students are able to post clips of themselves playing a solo and receive positive feedback from their peers as well as their conductor. They are also able to share music, YouTube clips, favourite artists, and ask questions – all things they can do instantly, rather than waiting an entire week for the next rehearsal.
More-so, these platforms give conductors the opportunity to expand the type of activities they use to engage students – from online quizzes, to research activities, video recording tasks, and competitions.
