Update on the MfC response to COVID-19

Hi Musicians, Families and Members,

With restrictions easing in the ACT from the from Monday 10 August to stage 3.1 of the roadmap, it will be essential to continue to be vigilant so that it does not impact our programming, our people and our Music-making.

To keep up to date with regards to COVID, we suggest the following website for Authoritative information:

ACT Government

https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/

Commonwealth Government

https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/coronavirus-covid-19-current-situation-and-case-numbers

NSW Government

https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19

MFC COVIDsafe plan is linked below.

COVIDsafe plan MFC

Remembering that we are part of the solution to keeping everyone safe and healthy, let’s not make any decisions we may regret in the future, this is why it is crucial to adhere to the COVIDsafe plan.

Please keep in mind that we are a large organisation with very few staff and this process will take time. We thank you in advance for your continued support and patience. If you have any specific questions and concerns, please click on this link and complete the form and we will respond to them as soon as we can.

Have a great week, stay safe, thanks, Peter, Lindy and the MfC team.

Date: 2 July 2020
Time: 4 pm

Hi Musicians, Families and Members,

We are already in Week 10 of Term 2  and wow it has gone quickly. I’d like to acknowledge and thank all our Artistic staff for your hard work. Without your continued efforts, passion and commitment to Music for Canberra, we would not be where we are today!

At the time of writing this update, the ACT has reported only two cases of COVID-19 since 1 May 2020, which is a massive success and furthermore it demonstrates that physical distancing while challenging in many regards, is working and proving successful in slowing the spread of the virus through our community.

Over the last three weeks of Term 2, we have been slowly returning to in-person rehearsals for a number of our larger programs. We are now able to announce that we are planning to return to in-person programming in Term 3 for all classes, rehearsals and lessons with very few exceptions. Term 3  is scheduled to commence on Monday 20 July 2020.

TERM 3 PROGRAMMING

In Term 3 there will be some changes to our programs on offer and their location for a number of reasons which include but are not limited to, resourcing, COVIDsafe planning and requirements, financial sustainability, effective management and venue availability.

Therefore we are offering our members the opportunity to discuss their concerns and questions with Lindy and Peter at a number of group-specific meetings. We will have more information about these sessions in the next few days. We would like to take the opportunity to discuss how the plans for Term 3 impact you and also future planning for each program.

If your program is not mentioned in the list below, it means that there are no major changes planned for you in Term 3. Jerene will have been in touch with you about minor changes and your program will run as discussed.

YOUTH ORCHESTRAS AND STRING STREAM

Canberra Youth Orchestra and James McCusker Orchestra

Saturday rehearsals for both Canberra Youth Orchestra and James McCusker Orchestra will take place at Gorman Arts Centre in Term 3. Due to the venue size, the rehearsal format will be different but the good news is that both orchestras can rehearse in full. Times and exact venues will be confirmed in the next week so please keep an eye on your emails.

Peg Mantle Strings

We have booked you into the C Block Theatre at Gorman House which is the same one you have been rehearsing for the last three weeks. The rehearsals will be back to 3 hours and start times are being confirmed in the next week, please keep an eye on your emails.

String Ensemble

We have booked you into the Gorman Main Hall for Term 3 at Gorman Arts Centre. Your rehearsal will be for 2.5 hours and start at 9 am, please keep an eye out for emails for more information. 

Sinfonietta

We have booked you into the Ainslie Main Hall at Ainslie Arts Centre for Term 3 and the rehearsals will be back to 2 .5 hours, starting at 10.45 am, please keep an eye out for your emails for more information. 

Camerata

We have booked you into the Ainslie Main Hall at Ainslie Arts Centre for Term 3 and the rehearsals will be back to 1.5 hours, starting at 9 am, please keep an eye out for emails for more information.

MAP GROUP CLASSES

Our MAP classes are highly valued. It is a successful program that we are very proud of running. Unfortunately, the program in its current format has been challenging to adapt to a COVIDsafe in-person program. So we need to restrict the number of classes in Term 3 while we make some program updates to ensure that the program is successful, COVIDsafe and financially sustainable. Currently, we are only planning to offer five classes per week and due to COVIDsafe protocols, we can only have 10 participants in each class. All of these classes will be held at the Ainslie Arts Centre. If we have more demand for additional classes, we will investigate the feasibility of both larger classes and/or additional classes. We will be organising a Q&A session with the tutors, Lindy and Peter in the next two weeks so please keep an eye out for an invite to this session.

SEASONED VOICES CHOIR

With members of the choir amongst the most vulnerable in the community due to COVID, we are making changes to this program to ensure that it is safe, sustainable and enjoyable. As a result, we will be offering the Tuesday rehearsal online for all members and the Friday rehearsal as the in-person rehearsal at Gorman Arts Centre from 10.30 am – 12.30 pm.  Members are able to attend both rehearsals per week at no additional cost in Term 3. The Tuesday rehearsals will be online via Google meet, and we are excited to have you all back at Gorman Arts Centre for the Friday rehearsals. We are also looking into the possibility of live streaming the Friday rehearsal. We understand that this will impact members of the choir and therefore we will be organising a Q&A session with SarahLou, Lindy and Peter in the next two weeks so please keep an eye out for an invite to this session.

Thanks for taking the time to read this update. We will be organising the Q&A session for the affected groups and members. We will be sending you all invites to these sessions and we welcome your input and feedback. Please keep in mind that we are a large organisation with very few staff and this process will take time. We thank you in advance for your continued support and patience. If you have any specific questions and concerns, please click on this link and complete the form and we will respond to them as soon as we can.

Have a great week, stay safe, thanks, Peter, Lindy and the MfC team.

Date: 16 June 2020
Time: 3.00 pm

Hi Musicians, Members and Families,

We are in week eight (8) of Term two (2), and I’d like to thank all our members and staff for your ongoing support and commitment to Music for Canberra. Without your passion, ideas and involvement, MfC would not be what it is today. So, thank you.

At the time of writing this update, the ACT has reported 2 cases of COVID-19 since 1 May 2020, which is a massive success. It demonstrates that physical distancing, while challenging in many regards, is working and proving successful in slowing the spread of the virus through our community. 

The ACT Government released ‘Canberra’s Recovery Plan’ on the 28 May, which outlined a staged easing of the restrictions road map that aligns with the Australian Government’s Framework for a COVIDSafe Australia. Under Act Government’s road map, there is specific mention of Choirs, Bands and Orchestras, and the ACT Government has also developed FAQs for the Arts and Cultural Activities. We have also been regularly engaged with ArtsACT for advice, clarifications, feedback, and recommendations as the response to COVID-19 has developed.

As you may be aware, the ACT Government is lifting the restrictions for groups, gatherings and activities and we have commenced developing COVIDsafe operating policies and procedures for a return to in-person programming. Throughout this, we have been engaging with our venue partners. We are working with them on these aspects to facilitate, safe, sustainable, and enjoyable return to in-person programming. In Term One (1) of this year pre-COVID, we averaged 219 bookings per week across three (3) ACT locations. As I’m sure you can appreciate, it is not easy to bring all our programs back without the support of venue partners. It is not a simple process, and if we rush it, we run the risk of increased harm which is not an option. Therefore, we have developed a plan that is staged and aligned with our venue partners’ requirements. We are fortunate to have a strong and robust relationship with Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centre team, and we are working with them on this plan.

Last Saturday, we conducted our second week of COVIDsafe in-person rehearsals with the members of our Youth Orchestras. Due to number and time restrictions, until the end of Term Two (2) these rehearsals are only for members that have been attending online rehearsals this term.  We understand that many of our staff and members are keen to get back to in-person rehearsals and classes and we are doing all we can to make this a reality as soon as possible. We are in the process of bringing back some more programs for this week, all in a safe, sustainable, and enjoyable environment. With only three weeks of Term Two (2) left, we are already well on the way to planning for more programs to return to in-person rehearsals and lessons in Term Three (3). All of this depends on venue availability and the community infection rate.

When this plan is finalised, we will communicate it to all our members, so that you can all make an informed decision about enrolments for Term three (3) which will commence as scheduled from Monday 20 July 2020.

Thanks for taking the time to read this message. We will be communicating regularly with you as we develop our return to in-person programming, and I welcome your input and feedback. Please keep in mind that we are a large organisation with very few staff and this process will take time. We thank you in advance for your continued support and patience. If you have any specific questions and concerns, please click on this link and complete the form and we will respond to them as soon as we can. Remembering that we are part of the solution to keep everyone safe and healthy, let’s not make any decisions we may regret in the future. 

Have a great week, stay safe, thanks Peter, Lindy and the MfC team. 

Date: 15 May 2020
Time: 9.30 pm

Dear Members and Families, 

Wow-what a long week it has been. Thoroughly enjoyable, but tough. We’re into the second week of term two (2)  via our online rehearsal, lessons and classes, and while there have been some pitfalls and challenges we have taken them on and we are making music. I’m very proud of our efforts and achievements. I am writing to you to ask you to continue with these efforts and refrain from coming together to play music for a little longer.

Since 16 March 2020, some 60 days ago; when the Public Health Emergency was announced, and our work, our lives and the world changed for us all.  We have been challenged, frustrated,  annoyed and at times exhausted. It is easy to get lost in these feelings. 

I know it has been tough for everyone, including musicians. The website I lost my Gig, latest tally published on 27 April 2020, estimated gig funds lost to the music industry at a staggering $340 million. Yesterday it was announced that the unemployment rate jumped to 6.2% in Australia, while the Reserve Bank of Australia’s forecasted unemployment rate is tipped to rise to 10% in June this year. These are not good by any measure. 

After 60 days of #iso or social distancing, as it is more commonly referred to it is easy to get impatient and seek out opportunities to make music in groups again, but it is important to remember the reason that we have spent the last 60 days in #iso. We need to hold back for a while longer.

While there have been no new cases of COVID-19 recorded in the ACT in the past 24 hours, and community spread across the ACT is very low, this has only been achieved by hard work and sacrifices of many people across our whole community. 

We are working hard on developing a return to in-person programming plan, and it is coming together, it’s considered, thoughtful and still requires input from our staff, our members, our venue partners among others. This will enable us to return to in-person programming in a safe and sustainable manner.

Until we are ready to execute the plan for returning to in-person programming, we are urging our members to be patient and follow the ACT Government advice, especially with regards to gatherings both indoors and outdoors, physical distancing, and good hygiene. 

Remembering that we are part of the solution to keeping everyone safe and healthy, let’s not make any decisions we may regret in the future. 

Thanks for taking the time to read this message, we will be communicating regularly with you as we develop our return to in-person programming and I welcome your input and feedback you have. Please keep in mind that we are a small organisation and this process will take time, we thank you in advance for your continued support and patience. If you have any specific questions and concerns, please click on this link and complete the form and we will respond to them as soon as we can.

Have a great weekend, stay safe, thanks Peter

General Manager
Music for Canberra
Email: Peter@musicforcanberra.org.au

Date: 14 May 2020
Time: 10.30 am

Dear Music for Canberra Members and Families,

Hope you are all well, just a quick update.

As you may be aware the ACT Government on Tuesday (yesterday) announced the easing of restrictions relating to control of the COVID-19 virus, these are with regards to Cafes and Restaurants, and Community Facilities, among others. These small, low-risk changes will not affect Music for Canberra operations.

Click below for the full statement by the Chief Minister.
https://www.cmtedd.act.gov.au/open_government/inform/act_government_media_releases/barr/2020/statement-chief-minister

We have also included a link below to the ACT Government’s FAQs for reference.
https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/faqs/faqs-changes-to-restrictions

Music for Canberra programs will continue to provide online learning for term 2, as this is the best way of keeping us all safe, and meeting the ongoing requirements. Please click here to find out more about how we are adapting our programming to online learning.

We are in the process of working with you – Music for Canberra employees and contractors, venue partners, Arts ACT and our members to plan our program delivery as restrictions ease further. Our primary objective remains to deliver our programs safely and sustainably. There is a lot to consider and at present, there are still a lot of unanswered questions and we are not going to rush this process because your safety, health and wellbeing is our priority.

This process will be slow and managed. We are likely to make a staged return to normal programs to ensure that implementation is considered, effective and efficient.

We will be communicating regularly with you as this process develops, and I welcome any input or feedback you have. Please keep in mind that we are a small organisation and this process will take time, we thank you in advance for your continued support and patience.

If you have any specific questions and concerns, please click on this link and complete the form and we will respond to them as soon as practicable.

Have a great day,
Sincerely, Peter.

General Manager
Music for Canberra
Email: Peter@musicforcanberra.org.au.

Date: 9 May 2020
Time of Update: 4.30 pm 

Dear Music for Canberra members and families, 

As you may be aware the ACT Government yesterday (Friday 8 May 2020), announced with regards to the COVID-19 restrictions having eased to support families and the economy. These small, low-risk changes will not affect Music for Canberra operations.

Click on the below link to read the ACT Government statement, which highlights the key changes.
https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/news-articles/faqs-changes-to-restrictions-8-may-2020

As it currently stands, Music for Canberra programs will continue via online learning for term 2; please click here to find out more about how we are adapting our programming to online learning.

We are in the process of working with our staff, venue partners, Arts ACT and our members to understand and identify how and/or when we are going to be able to resume normal programming (in-person) in a safe and sustainable manner. There is a lot to consider, and at present, there are still a lot of unanswered questions, and we are not going to rush this process because your safety, health and wellbeing is our priority.

This process will be slow and managed and will likely be a staged return to normal programs so that we are able to manage this process, in an effective and efficient manager.

As we develop this process, we will be communicating it to you all. Please keep in mind that we are a small organisation and this process will take time, we thank you in advance for your continued support and patience.

If you have any specific questions and concerns, please click on this link and complete the form and we will respond to them as soon as practicable.

Have a great weekend. Sincerely, Peter.

General Manager
Music for Canberra
Email: Peter@musicforcanberra.org.au

UPDATE: 2 pm on March 23, 2020.

Dear Music for Canberra (MfC) members, families and participants,

We regret to inform you that due to the impact of COVID-19 we are cancelling the remaining Classes, Rehearsals and Programs for Term 1. 

MfC is committed to prioritising the health, safety and welfare of all our staff, students and families and the MfC community. We have been and will be continuing, to monitor the development and impacts of COVID-19 closely.

Our programs will recommence in Term 2 from Tuesday, April 28, 2020, via an online learning environment. We are currently working through this process and we will be communicating more information with you, as soon as we have everything in place. 

We are passionate about our staff, our members and the community and we look forward to creating unique and memorable musical experiences that we can create together during this time.

We thank you for your support during this challenging time, and we will be in touch as soon as practicable with regards to next steps for our program and the plan moving forward.

If you have any questions, queries, concerns or feedback, please contact me directly. Please take care of each other, and we will get through this together!

Sincerely Peter and the MfC team.

Peter Thomson
General Manager @ Music for Canberra
Email: peter@musicforcanberra.org.au
Phone: (02) 6182 0030

Music for Canberra update, response to COVID-19
Sunday March 15, 2020 at 6:39 pm. 

Music for Canberra update COVID-19

Dear MFC community, 

I’m writing to update you on the measures that Music for Canberra (MfC) has in place to respond to COVID-19. 

While there is currently one (1) confirmed case of COVID-19 in the ACT, thankfully there are currently no cases within the MfC community. For more up-to-date information about the virus, please visit the Australian Government Deaprtment of Health webiste: 

https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert

While for the most up-to-date information regarding ACT community measures and response please visit the ACT Health Directorate website: 

https://health.act.gov.au/public-health-alert/updated-information-about-covid-19

We are monitoring the current developments and impacts of COVID-19 closely. We are taking our advice from both the Australian Department of Health and the ACT Health Directorate and we are working in close consultation with our venue partners so that we manage the associated risks.

So far with our venue partners, we have implemented the following:

1. Hand sanitizer in each room, and in common areas. 
2. Reminders and posters about hygiene (cough/sneeze protocols, handwashing, staying home if unwell) posted around the venues. 
3. Handwashing guidelines in each bathroom. 

We now plan to include the following: 

1. Daily disinfecting of percussion instruments and pianos. 
2. Requesting that all students wash their hands with soap and water before their lessons. 
3. For our group classes, we ask that students don’t hold hands during the lesson or specific songs, and practice social distancing.  

We can all follow simple steps to help prevent the spread of viruses: 

If you are feeling unwell, please stay at home and rest or seek medical advice. It’s important that you take time to recover. It is recommended that you do not go to classes and avoid public areas while you are unwell. Please contact the MfC office (via phone or email) about the options available to you. 

Etiquette that we will be encouraging includes: 

• Wash your hands well and often. The recommendations is to wet your hands, lather your fingers, palms, and wrists with soap and scrub for at least 20 seconds. Rinse your hands well with clean, running water and then dry your hands. 
• Practice sneezing and cough etiquette – cough and sneeze into a tissue. If you don’t have a tissue cough or sneeze into your elbow (not your hands). 
• Aviod touching your eyes, nose and mouth. 
• Aviod handshakes. 
• Regularly use hand-sanitizer. 
• Keep at least a metre away from people who are coughing/showing signs of illness. 

On Friday 13 March, the ANU made a precautionary decision to “reduce on-campus and cancellation of pubic and social events”. 

This affects MfC in two (2) very direct ways:

1. The rehearsals for both JMO and CYO will be moved away from the ANU campus until Saturday 20 June. 
2. The CYO concert planned for Saturday, April 4 will be moved, cancelled and/or postponed.  

Please be assured that MfC is currently working through our options to find appropriate and practicable solutions for both these activites. Once we have more information, we will inform you as soon as practicable. 

We will always emails these updates to our members, and our website includes FAQs, which we update regularly. 

With the situation continuing to evolve, we are increasing the frequency of our communications to ensure our community is up-to-date with what we are doing. To assist we encourage you to keep your details updated, by completing this online form, to ensure that we have the most up-to-date contact information, to keep you informed.

Looking after ourselves and each other: 

This is a challenging time for all of us. Many of us have friends and families who are being impacted both here and overseas. Please know the thoughts of our community are with you. MfC will do what it takes to support every member of our community during these hard times, to the best of our ability. 

We would like to acknowledge and thank Bellchambers Music School whose research and existing policy on the response to COVID-19 helped inform our own. 

If you have any questions, concerns, queries or feedback, please contact me directly my details are below, as I’m more than happy to discuss. Please take care of each other, sincerely Peter and the MfC team. 

Peter Thomson
General Manager @ Music for Canberra
Email: peter@musicforcanberra.org.au
Phone: (02) 6182 0030

Music for Canberra update on response to COVID-19
Thursday Feburary 06, 2020 at 2:39 pm. 

Dear Music for Canberra (MfC) community, 

Wihtin our MfC classes and rehearsals, we utalise a lot of shared instriments and other items such as music stands, meaning that keeping healthy is a major team effort at the best of times. We are aware this is a huge concern given the Novel (new) Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). 

In line with the ACT Health guidelines, we are asking the following: 

• If you have been to the Hubei Province of mainland China, please delay your return to the Music for Canberra programs until you have shown no symptoms for 14 days after your return.
• If you have been in contact with someone with a confirmed case of the Coronavirus, please delay your return to the Music for Canberra programs until you have shown no symptoms for 14 days after your return.
• If you have travelled to mainland China more broadly over summer, or transited through China, please call us to discuss how we can support you whilst also managing risk.

Here at MfC, we have posted signages reminding families of best practices for staying healthy, including frequent handwashing with soap, coughing and sneezing into your elbow, and staying home if you are unwell. We also have put hand sanitiser in each of our classrooms and common areas.

Our staff and/or members who have visited China in the holidays will have self-quarantine for 14 days as per the ACT Government advice.

If you have any questions, concerns, queries or feedback, please contact me. I’m more than hapy to discuss. 

Peter Thomson
General Manager @ Music for Canberra
Email: peter@musicforcanberra.org.au
Phone: (02) 6182 0030