Oak Bay High Choir Department Safety Plan: September 2020
Following directives from the BC Ministry of Education, the BC Ministry of Health, School District 61, the Oak Bay High Administration team, and the BC Music Educators Association, alterations have been made to the choir program to ensure a safe learning environment for everyone involved in choral music education at Oak Bay High. This document outlines the new protocols which have been adopted to respond to our current COVID-19 situation. We appreciate the patience and cooperation of all parents and students during this period.
TEACHING SPACES
Several spaces will be available for choral classes this year. In accordance with Oak Bay High Administration regulations, each room has been measured and designated a maximum student capacity, listed as follows:
Concert Choirs – In the Timetable
As usual, there are two in-timetable choirs operating this year: Bella Voce, a concert choir consisting of students in grades 9-12, and Chamber Choir, an auditioned ensemble consisting of students in grades 11 and 12. Bella Voce is currently running in block A, led by Mrs. Tina Horwood and assisted by Mr. Price. Chamber Choir will run in Block B, led by Mr. Price with Mrs. Horwood assisting.
In-Timetable: Cohort Learning Group
For five weeks of the in-timetable duration of these courses, these ensembles will form the students’ Cohort Learning Group. In Cohort Learning Groups, physical distancing and masks are voluntary. Students are, however, expected to refrain from touching other students in class.
Distancing In-Timetable: Non-Cohort Learning Group
During the other five weeks of these courses’ timetable run, they will not be the students’ primary Learning Group. In this environment, physical distancing is expected. These classes will be arranged in such a way that each student will be at least 6 feet away from the next student. Multiple teaching spaces and two teachers will be available to ensure that the expected social distancing is maintained – this means some ensembles may be split between rooms at times. Masks are voluntary, though it is strongly suggested that students wear masks until they have reached their distanced location (their orange dot on the floor).
CONCERT CHOIRS – OUTSIDE THE TIMETABLE
All four of our outside-timetable concert choirs will continue to be offered this year. A description of each ensemble and their regular meeting times are explained in a notice that was handed out at the initial meetings of Senior Concert Choir, Junior Concert Choir, and Bella Voce. More copies of the 2020-21 choir schedule and choir descriptions are available in the choir room. This information will also be available on the choir website once it is updated. https://www.oakbaychoir.com/ If you are new to the program, we encourage you investigate the link. This year’s outside timetable concert choirs are as follows:
All concert choirs outside of the timetable are not considered Cohort Learning Groups. As mentioned above, in this environment, physical distancing is expected. These classes will be arranged in such a way that each student will be at least 6 feet away from the next student. Multiple teaching spaces and two teachers will be available to ensure that the expected social distancing is maintained – this means the larger ensembles will frequently be split between rooms.
JAZZ CHOIRS
We will be offering three vocal jazz ensembles this year, all of which will be directed by Mrs. Horwood: Jazz Express, Jazz à Latté, and Jazz Wave. All jazz choirs outside of the timetable are considered Non-Cohort Learning Groups. As mentioned above, in this environment, physical distancing is expected. These classes will be arranged in such a way that each student will be at least 6 feet away from the next student.
In order to satisfy social distancing protocols, facilitate the use of one teaching space, and limit the teacher requirement to one, Jazz Wave and Jazz à Latté will be limited to a maximum of 27 members this year, including singers, rhythm section, teacher assistants and sound assistants.
Jazz Express will likely be a larger ensemble than the other two jazz choirs, and will be taught separately in two learning spaces.
Thank you for your patience and dedication in these uncertain times. We look forward to another wonderful year of singing! Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Thank you,
Mrs. Horwood & Mr. Price
Several spaces will be available for choral classes this year. In accordance with Oak Bay High Administration regulations, each room has been measured and designated a maximum student capacity, listed as follows:
- Choir Room – 27 Students
- Band Room – 28 Students
- Theatre Stage – 35 Students
- Theatre Seating – 60 Students
- Black Box/Drama Room – 32 Students
Concert Choirs – In the Timetable
As usual, there are two in-timetable choirs operating this year: Bella Voce, a concert choir consisting of students in grades 9-12, and Chamber Choir, an auditioned ensemble consisting of students in grades 11 and 12. Bella Voce is currently running in block A, led by Mrs. Tina Horwood and assisted by Mr. Price. Chamber Choir will run in Block B, led by Mr. Price with Mrs. Horwood assisting.
In-Timetable: Cohort Learning Group
For five weeks of the in-timetable duration of these courses, these ensembles will form the students’ Cohort Learning Group. In Cohort Learning Groups, physical distancing and masks are voluntary. Students are, however, expected to refrain from touching other students in class.
Distancing In-Timetable: Non-Cohort Learning Group
During the other five weeks of these courses’ timetable run, they will not be the students’ primary Learning Group. In this environment, physical distancing is expected. These classes will be arranged in such a way that each student will be at least 6 feet away from the next student. Multiple teaching spaces and two teachers will be available to ensure that the expected social distancing is maintained – this means some ensembles may be split between rooms at times. Masks are voluntary, though it is strongly suggested that students wear masks until they have reached their distanced location (their orange dot on the floor).
CONCERT CHOIRS – OUTSIDE THE TIMETABLE
All four of our outside-timetable concert choirs will continue to be offered this year. A description of each ensemble and their regular meeting times are explained in a notice that was handed out at the initial meetings of Senior Concert Choir, Junior Concert Choir, and Bella Voce. More copies of the 2020-21 choir schedule and choir descriptions are available in the choir room. This information will also be available on the choir website once it is updated. https://www.oakbaychoir.com/ If you are new to the program, we encourage you investigate the link. This year’s outside timetable concert choirs are as follows:
- Senior Concert Choir (Grades 11 & 12) – Mr. Price lead teacher, Mrs. Horwood assisting
- Junior Concert Choir (Grades 9 & 10) – Mrs. Horwood lead teacher, Mr. Price assisting
- Men’s Choir (Grades 9-12) – Mr. Price lead teacher, Mrs. Horwood assisting
- Women’s Choir (Grades 9-12) – Mrs. Horwood lead teacher, Mr. Price assisting
All concert choirs outside of the timetable are not considered Cohort Learning Groups. As mentioned above, in this environment, physical distancing is expected. These classes will be arranged in such a way that each student will be at least 6 feet away from the next student. Multiple teaching spaces and two teachers will be available to ensure that the expected social distancing is maintained – this means the larger ensembles will frequently be split between rooms.
JAZZ CHOIRS
We will be offering three vocal jazz ensembles this year, all of which will be directed by Mrs. Horwood: Jazz Express, Jazz à Latté, and Jazz Wave. All jazz choirs outside of the timetable are considered Non-Cohort Learning Groups. As mentioned above, in this environment, physical distancing is expected. These classes will be arranged in such a way that each student will be at least 6 feet away from the next student.
In order to satisfy social distancing protocols, facilitate the use of one teaching space, and limit the teacher requirement to one, Jazz Wave and Jazz à Latté will be limited to a maximum of 27 members this year, including singers, rhythm section, teacher assistants and sound assistants.
Jazz Express will likely be a larger ensemble than the other two jazz choirs, and will be taught separately in two learning spaces.
Thank you for your patience and dedication in these uncertain times. We look forward to another wonderful year of singing! Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Thank you,
Mrs. Horwood & Mr. Price