Returning to TMH 9/20 for sectionals

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Board actions

At last evening’s Board meeting, we discussed the input received from individual conversations at rehearsal on Sunday. We agreed that the COVID landscape continues to evolve, and there is certainly no way to predict anything at this point. We discussed all the ongoing safety factors with due gravity, and included Dr. Ron MacKenzie in our conversation. The Board has decided to take these actions, with Ron’s full endorsement:

  • We will return to rehearsals at TMH on Monday, September 20, with reduced numbers of participants in sectionals for the next two weeks (see schedule below). This will allow for physical distancing between players. There is no rehearsal at Masters on September 19.
  • We have confirmed with TMH that we will have access to use the MERV filtration system connected to the air conditioning system. In addition we will use the stage fog exhaust fan to further the air circulation.
  • Any player scheduled to play for the Fall Concert who is not comfortable attending these sectionals should contact David Church. Use the email he has shared or personnel@westchestersymphonicwinds.org. Note that absences will not be counted against the two allowed per cycle.
  • TMH has confirmed that they continue to require all performers at rehearsals to be vaccinated.
  • TMH has confirmed that masks are now required of all audience members during performances. However, since we are abiding by their vaccination policy and there are no audience members at our rehearsals, masks are not required during our rehearsals. Any player who feels safer to wear a mask throughout the rehearsal, or during non-playing portions of the rehearsal, is welcome to do so.
  • The Board will ask again for individual input from players during these two weeks of sectionals and then make decisions concerning upcoming weeks, whether to continue sectionals or return to full ensemble rehearsals at TMH. Although we have access to the tent at Masters through October 10, at this time we have no active plans to use the tent and have Sunday rehearsals again.

Sectional schedule

  • Please plan for sectionals as follows:
    • Monday, September 20, 7:30-9:45 pm at TMH – all Woodwinds and Percussion
    • Monday, September 27, 7:30-9:45 pm at TMH – all Brass and Percussion
  • Rehearsal plans for each sectional will differ and will be posted by the Friday before each sectional. For now, both sectionals should definitely plan to work on Posy and In a Nutshell.

Thank you for your continued support as we navigate these evolving waters.