Here are pictures of the system that we created to make rehearsals possible and as safe as we could figure out. Notes are below...
Our goal was to essentially isolate each instrument/player in a clear vinyl booth while allowing visual contact and the least obstruction of sound. We used 1/2" pvc pipe and fittings for the framework which has proven to be plenty strong for hanging the vinyl. We ordered 50 yards of 54" 16 gauge clear vinyl from burlapfabric.com and curtain rings with clips from Amazon. The vinyl is hung so that it is about 26" to about 80" off of the ground, covering even our tallest player. I "direct" from the drum set and didn't see a need to isolate that instrument because it is isolated by default from all of the isolation of the steel drums.
Saw the Hi-Hat stand hands free sanitizer dispenser on FB and knew that it was a "Must Have". We manufacture the Chrome Tripod Stands here at cbPanworks, so I rigged up the bottle holder using scraps and parts from that and attached it with 2" hose clips.
Other changes we made include changing the way people enter/exit the rehearsal space (to reduce contact-high voices in/out one door, low voices in/out another door), hand sanitizer at each entrance, MANDATORY MASKS (provided at each entrance if they forget their own), each student now have their own mallets, CDC signage and adherence to guidelines, daily attendance taken, students don't touch anything unnecessary (doors, light switches, etc.), doors remain open during rehearsal when possible, moved to online or touchless payment options (I use Square), etc.. And LOTS of communication about how to simply be respectful of the panyard and each other.
At the end of each rehearsal, we do a sanitizing of drums, stands, music stands, door knobs, light switches and anything that might be a touch point.
We are constantly watching the numbers, adhering to local, state, national guidelines and best recommendations. We did start back up and hit the pause button when there was a local uptick. Students know that we could hit the pause button at any time.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions, comments or suggestions.
Saw the Hi-Hat stand hands free sanitizer dispenser on FB and knew that it was a "Must Have". We manufacture the Chrome Tripod Stands here at cbPanworks, so I rigged up the bottle holder using scraps and parts from that and attached it with 2" hose clips.
Other changes we made include changing the way people enter/exit the rehearsal space (to reduce contact-high voices in/out one door, low voices in/out another door), hand sanitizer at each entrance, MANDATORY MASKS (provided at each entrance if they forget their own), each student now have their own mallets, CDC signage and adherence to guidelines, daily attendance taken, students don't touch anything unnecessary (doors, light switches, etc.), doors remain open during rehearsal when possible, moved to online or touchless payment options (I use Square), etc.. And LOTS of communication about how to simply be respectful of the panyard and each other.
At the end of each rehearsal, we do a sanitizing of drums, stands, music stands, door knobs, light switches and anything that might be a touch point.
We are constantly watching the numbers, adhering to local, state, national guidelines and best recommendations. We did start back up and hit the pause button when there was a local uptick. Students know that we could hit the pause button at any time.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions, comments or suggestions.