COVID Policy for Youth Orchestras

September 25, 2021

September 25, 2021
 
OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU
 
We are actively working with our partners in collaboration with local and state health authorities on a health and safety plan in accordance with local, state, and federal guidelines. While we are all excited to get back to in-person rehearsals and performances, safety is at the top of our priority list. We fully understand our protocols may be different based on the venue we are using, and the group we are working with, as each school and stage has its own rules.
 
If there are pre-existing rules in place at any of our workspaces, those rules will be prioritized.
We also must be clear that these rules and procedures could change. As you can see in your own schools, workplaces, and news sources, things are changing and evolving daily. We will change our plans according to CURRENT guidelines and recommendations. 
We will communicate our plans and any changes to you. If you have any questions, please contact us. 
 
OUR PROCEDURES
 
Masks:
Masks are REQUIRED during all rehearsals and performances. This includes FVSO staff, volunteers, and all students.
 
Socially Distanced Seating:
Both Philharmonia and Concert Orchestra will have individual stands and be seated six feet apart. Space is very tight in our Youth Orchestra room, and we do not have enough to accommodate the same layout for our Youth group. As such, we will have individual stands for everyone, and seat students as far apart as our numbers and the room can accommodate.
 
Stands:
If you have your own stand, please bring it with you to rehearsal. We are hoping everyone in Concert Orchestra will bring their own stands as supplies at the school are limited.
 
Self-Check Before Coming to Rehearsals/Performances:
While we are doing all we can to keep our group safe, this begins with YOU. We need to rely on you to monitor your own health and make decisions that will help keep your section and your orchestra safe. Please monitor any symptoms you may be experiencing and be cautious. If you are feeling sick, please stay at home and rest. Check for fever, chills, cough, sore throat, headache or dizziness, shortness of breath, body aches, congestion, or runny nose. Please consult with your doctor if these are persistent. If you suspect you may have COVID, free tests are available at Walgreens and can be taken at the drive through. (Please note that due to increased cases in our area, the results could take up to a week.)

Please remember to fill out an absence form found on the Fox Valley Symphony website under the Youth Orchestra’s tab. Click here for the absence form!
 
In the event of Quarantine or a Positive Covid Diagnosis:
Please contact Marisol@foxvalleysymphony.com to let her know of your positive diagnosis.

• Your doctor will likely give you dates in which you may have been contagious and dates when you will likely be able to return to school and group activities. Please share this with Marisol.
• All information will be kept confidential, and names will never be shared with the full group.
• When we receive notice of a positive case, we will send a group email to everyone in the orchestra letting them know that one of our students has tested positive. NO personal information or detail will be given.
• If you receive this notice, please monitor your own symptoms, and contact your doctor if you have any concerns. Please let us know right away if you are experiencing symptoms or receive a positive test and do not come to rehearsal that week.
• If you need to miss rehearsals due to quarantine or a positive COVID diagnosis, we will not count those absences toward your annual attendance. If you need to miss more than one week, we can discuss the possible addition of more time with your coaches to make up any time and make sure you are comfortable with the music. 
• Quarantine Information: CDC currently recommends a quarantine period of 14 days. However, based on local circumstances and resources, the following options to shorten quarantine are acceptable alternatives.
  • Quarantine can end after Day 10 without testing and if no symptoms have been reported during daily monitoring. (With this strategy, residual post-quarantine transmission risk is estimated to be about 1%.)
  • If you would rather try testing again, and when diagnostic testing resources are sufficient and available, then quarantine can end after Day 7 if a diagnostic specimen tests negative and if no symptoms were reported during daily monitoring. The specimen may be collected and tested within 48 hours before the time of planned quarantine discontinuation (e.g., in anticipation of testing delays), but quarantine cannot be discontinued earlier than after Day 7.
  • PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN TO DETERMINE YOUR BEST COURSE OF ACTION WITH QUARANTINE, TESTING, AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON RETURNING TO GROUP ACTIVITIES.

Performances:
Currently, we are planning in-person performances with audiences. Our rehearsal space is currently Appleton North High School. We will update you on concert venues when they are secured and contracted.
 
PENDING FURTHER REVISION
As schools and our local and state health departments change their recommendations, we will share any changes with you as they come up. It is predicted to be a difficult fall season, so we fully expect to make changes as things progress.