FEATURE
All aboard
How can music groups make sure they include all their members in the ‘new normal’? At the time of printing, the UK is easing out of COVID-19 lockdown and into a new way of conducting daily life. However, each nation of the UK is moving at a different pace with different guidelines, and spikes in infections are also having an impact on particular regions. Some people have been working throughout the pandemic, while others are starting to find ways to go back to work. Friends and families are meeting up, while at the same time many people are still shielding, or may just not feel safe enough yet to return to their routines. For leisure-time musicians, COVID-19 has thrown up exceptional challenges that groups have faced down in a variety of brilliantly creative ways. Groups have managed to stay in touch with each other by Zoom and Skype, Whatsapp and by telephone. Even if they haven’t been rehearsing online or recording virtual performances, they’ve still managed to keep in contact and together as a group. One of the many wonderful things about leisure-time groups is that they are diverse and filled with a range of people with different needs and wants. But now that many of us are starting to think about how we might meet again in line with regulations, while others are still at home, how do we stick together as a group and make sure everyone is included? ‘Blended’ scenarios could be the solution, where
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HIGHNOTES Autumn 2020
groups meet online or offline – or both. Here are some ideas to help you make sure all your members are on board. 1. Ask your members – before you jump into meeting up in person, it’s essential to ask the people that it concerns. Find out when and how comfortable they would be coming back in person, what they would feel comfortable doing, or if they need to stay at home for a while longer. You can use our member survey to help you: makingmusic.org.uk/ resource/how-use-return-rehearsal-survey 2. Assess the risk – what risks does your venue pose? What is your local infection rate? How do people travel to rehearsals, and how do you need them to behave once they’re there? Use our risk assessment tool to find out what’s feasible for your group: makingmusic.org.uk/resource/riskassessment 3. Rota for return – you might need to limit the number of people that attend in person at one time, also taking into account who you want to attend. 4. Shorter rehearsals – think about reducing the time you spend together. Without in-person performances to work towards, you may also need to rethink your repertoire, which could offer new opportunities.
