As all NSW schools have returned to full-time on-campus learning the advice surrounding music programs has been thin on the ground. Yesterday (Thursday 11 June) the NSW Dept of Education updated its health advice and it would appear that, within the constraints of the community standards, the majority of school-based activities are able to commence from either 15 June 2020 or the start of Term 3 (20 July 2020).

If your school is still uncertain as to how to proceed with its instrumental music program, yesterday’s advice from the Dept of Education should provide some clarity.

You can download the full document below, however, I specifically draw your attention to the following (my highlight in red):

Activities allowed from Monday 15 June 2020

    • All Department of Community and Justice activities including:
      • –  external counselling services
      • –  domestic and family violence services
      • –  family support services
      • –  targeted early intervention programs
      • –  youth engagement support programs
      • –  Men’s Sheds
      • –  supported playgroups
    • School assemblies (limited to 15 minutes and no external visitors)
    • Choirs and performing arts (within school setting only at this point, no inter-school activities)
    • Incursions/external adult providers to support delivery of curriculum (e.g. music tutors, sport skills development programs, science demonstrations, drama tutors, Healthy Harold). Must maintain distancing and hygiene requirements.
    • Students may attend other schools for essential curriculum related reasons or placements (e.g. auditions or placement tests)
    • Activities using hydrotherapy pools (including external pools in line with the providers’ guidelines)
    • Day field trips to outdoor locations with no physical distancing requirements (e.g. DoE)

A reasonable reading of this document would suggest that:

  • Internal music ensembles are able to resume on Monday 15 June
  • External tutors/Music Directors are allowed on site, provided they observe existing distancing and hygiene protocols

If you are keen to restart face to face rehearsals and your school is resisting doing so, I suggest you direct them to the attached document (below).

Pat Devery
ASBOF General Manager

Download the full advice here
Return to full-time face-to-face learning guidelines – Guidelines for schools