GHS concerts to resume with restrictions

Grafton High School plans to open its doors for band and choir concerts, after performances were postponed earlier this school year due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

On Monday, the School Board’s Curriculum Committee approved measures to safely resume the shows.

“Performances are motivating and essential experiences for students,” Director of Teaching and Learning Dianna Kresovic said. 

Band concerts will take place in the high school gymnasium, and choir performances will be held in the auditorium. The groups have been practicing outside this year in order to follow protocols for social distancing. 

“As much as possible, we’ve been outside, and the teachers have done an amazing job adapting their teaching to meet the curriculum standards in a different setting,” Kresovic said. 

To ensure safety, the district purchased additional face masks for singers, and band members who play the brass also have slotted-mask coverings to ensure health measures.

“The slotted masks for band are essentially a fully covered mask that is slotted vertically with flaps. When you insert the mouth piece, it completely wraps around and nothing is coming out of the mask,” Kresovic said, noting instruments such as a trombone have a bell cover.

She added that some choir students wear face shields.  

“We want kids to know that playing is important and that it is relevant,” Kresovic said. “The opportunity is important for motivation and skill development so they can be assessed and think about how they can improve their performance and goals.”

Kresovic said the district is also planning for middle school and elementary students to begin performing.

The district will allow two family members of each participating student to attend the concerts, which will be less than 30 minutes of singing and playing. 

The district has used research from an aerosol study of the University of Colorado that the National Music Association promoted. 

“The recommendations from the study talk about PPE (personal protective equipment) and the amount of time and space it is safe to stay apart,” Kresovic said.

“It really has to do with the air flow. When you are singing or playing an instrument, you are creating an opportunity for spreading the virus. You have to take extra precautions. We have to follow the science.”

When students have been unable to perform outside due to weather conditions, they have been listening to and critiquing music in the classroom.

The district also upgraded heating, ventilation and air-conditioning units in buildings to ensure students can continue practicing music when the weather becomes less conducive.