All aboard

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 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.

5. For people who can’t attend, record online rehearsals for them to watch – these members could benefit from the rehearsal in their own time. It may even reassure them to see how the in-person rehearsals are working and encourage them to attend if they feel it’s safe to do so. You could also provide rehearsal tracks, notes from rehearsals or recommended recordings to listen to. 6. Livestream the rehearsal – people at home can join in, in real time, with the MD taking questions using the chat facility, but check first that you have enough data and wifi access for this to work. 7. Deliver rehearsals twice – try once in person and once online, at separate times, allowing people to choose which one to join. Prepare rehearsal tracks, notes from rehearsals or recommended recordings to listen to. 8. Meeting entirely online – you may find that your members do need to stay at home for a while longer. If you haven’t already, you can start getting connected and trying out ways to keep them engaged on a regular basis, whether that’s through online rehearsals or musical inspiration sessions. Find ideas in our resource: makingmusic.org.uk/ resource/making-most-online-rehearsals 9. Help members who are not online at all to get connected – buddy them up with another member who is more comfortable with technology and who can help them get set up by phone: makingmusic.org.uk/resource/helping-othersget-online

Whichever scenario your group decides on, it's essential to involve your musical director in the decisions you make. They will likely be taking on some of the work, so make sure to pay them appropriately.

Start by sharing what your members have said they want. There’s little doubt that the musical side of rehearsing online is not as good as in person, and the technology doesn’t exist that recreates the musical benefits of an in-person rehearsal, which all makes the MD’s job harder. They are professionals who want to know their efforts are beneficial and worthwhile and to take some job satisfaction from that. So it’s a good idea to agree with your MD on the purpose of the rehearsal sessions and be clear about musical expectations.

If your survey or feedback shows that members really value the social side of being in the group, this might mean that simply asking your MD to facilitate meetings and singing/playing each week is what’s needed. For more advice on how to work with your MD to finding a solution visit: makingmusic.org.uk/resource/musicdirector-online-activities

Putting some of these ideas into practice will involve time and effort, so try and share the workload as much as possible. Consider asking for help from the wider membership – there may be people who have the skills to help out. For more ideas about blended scenarios, visit makingmusic.org.uk/returning-toactivities

“Before you jump into meeting up in person, it’s essential to ask the people that it concerns.”