Update to ECMS Masking Policy

Dear Students and Families,

Today, the University of Rochester has made the decision to reinstate for the time being the indoor face-masking requirement on University campuses and properties.  This message was made in response to the current spike in COVID infections on campus and in the community, and is effective immediately. This requirement applies to all students, faculty, staff, visitors, and others—including those who are fully vaccinated and boosted.

Starting immediately, we are going back to the masking policies that were in place at the end of the fall semester.  Here are the specifics for different situations and instruments: 

• Everyone ages 2 and above needs to wear a non-cloth mask (N95, KN94, surgical mask, etc.) at all times – in classes, lessons, rehearsals, performances, and all other academic and non-academic spaces. 
• The one exception is for professionally-made masks for musicians, which may continue to be used when performing as these masks are typically constructed with multiple layers and/or have an additional filter material built into the mask.  In non-performance situations, however, everyone must follow the non-cloth mask policy.
• Musicians who play an instrument with a mouthpiece must cut a small hole/slit in their mask so that their nose and sides of the mouth remain covered when they are playing.
• Brass and woodwind musicians are required to use a bell cover at all times.
• Brass players must use a container/rag to collect their condensation.
• Early Childhood Families will receive a separate message with details about procedures in Early Childhood classes.

 Exceptions to the masking requirement are limited to the following situations: 

• A single musician may be unmasked when performing in a jury or recital, but only if they can maintain 6’ of distance from others on stage.
• A single instructor may be unmasked when teaching, but only if they can maintain 6’ from the rest of the class. 

All our performances remain open to the public and there are no other restrictions on gatherings, activities, or dining at this time.  These rules will be in place through May 6, and at that time University leadership will determine if it is safe to go back to a “masks recommended” policy for the remainder of the school year (last day of teaching is Saturday, June 11).

My sincere wishes for a healthy and safe weekend, we are grateful for your support. 

Dr. Kodzas
Associate Dean & Director of the Eastman Community Music School