UTEP Music - Fall 2020 FAQs related to COVID-19
Will I have lessons face-to-face with my applied teacher this fall?
The answer for most of our music students is yes. We know that most of our students want face-to-face lessons with their teacher in the teacher’s studio each week. These lessons will happen with appropriate social distancing standards and masks/shields/plastic curtain barriers. This will be our “new normal” until we have highly effective COVID-19 therapies or a safe and effective vaccine. However, please understand we have some music faculty in high-risk groups and we have some students in high-risk groups. In such cases, students and faculty can teach lessons remote to ensure that we are providing the right accommodation for those with such needs.
Are we planning to have band, choir, orchestra, opera, jazz bands, etc. this fall?
Yes. We know how important these experiences are to music students and our ensemble directors are planning for excellent ensembles this fall. However the majority of our ensembles will operate in a smaller format to allow for proper social distancing and safety. Larger ensembles will rotate students to ensure all students have performance opportunities. Masks/shields/plastic barriers will play a consistent role to protect the UTEP Music community.
Will we be able to perform for live audiences this fall?
Not face-to-face, because having live audiences in the Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall this fall is not feasible given current health conditions. The Department of Music will utilize our outstanding Live Streaming equipment with our skilled operators to bring live concerts to our patrons near and far via the department’s Facebook page.
What about academic music classes?
Music Theory, Aural Skills, Music Literature, and Music Education courses will largely be taught online, though some of the smaller classes will be taught face-to-face or in a hybrid format. This allows the Department to ensure we are able to follow appropriate safety guidelines to keep our music community healthy. All classes show delivery method in Goldmine. Please pay careful attention as our standard options have changed for Fall 2020.
What about recitals? Will I be able to schedule my recital for the coming semester?
Yes. Students needing to present degree recitals this semester will be able to reserve the Recital Hall for your recital. However, audiences may not be permitted. All recitals will be recorded and live-streamed.
Is it true that the last week of classes will be entirely remote or online?
Yes, once we break for the Thanksgiving holiday, the next week – our last week of classes – will be completely remote and/or online. We will not return to campus after the Thanksgiving Break until January 2021.
Is it true that Juries will be entirely remote or online?
It depends. Each area will decide how it will handle juries this fall. Some will choose to do live juries the week before Thanksgiving, while others will want to give students more time to prepare and do juries by video submissions or via remote conferencing software. Details on this will updated as areas make decisions.
It is true that course final exams will be entirely remote or online.
For juries, see above. For all other courses, yes. All finals will be online.
Will there be any concerts after the Thanksgiving Break this semester?
No, because the campus is officially remote after Thanksgiving.
Is it possible that these plans will change based on local health conditions?
Yes. The UTEP Department of Music follows all university guidelines and policies. If the University moves to remote operations due to COVID activity in our region, then we will move to remote instruction for all classes until such time that it is deemed safe to return to work/classes.
If it’s true that the UTEP Department of Music may change plans in response to changes in public health and/or public policy, where should I check for up-to-date information?
All updated information will be published here and for all university news, at https://www.utep.edu/ehs/COVID-19/index.html. Please check regularly for updates about plans for the Fall Semester. We promise to keep you informed.
What supplies will I need due to COVID-19 while on campus?
- All UTEP music students should plan on having the following:
- A cloth face mask.
- Voice Students: Cloth face masks with extra space for singing are commercially available. Talk to your voice teacher about options.
- Wind Players other than flute: A cloth face mask with a zipper that allows you to play while wearing the mask.
- Flute Players: All flute players will utilize Win-D-Fenders. The Department has purchased a set. Please talk to Professor Lambrecht. A face mask will be worn at all times that flute students are not playing the flute on campus.
- All Others: A standard cloth face mask.
- A music stand. (Department Music stands will not be available this fall except for concerts)
- Hand sanitizer.
- A cloth face mask.
I am in a high-risk category. Can I take all my music classes online?
Probably. Applied faculty will work with you so you can take lessons online. Talk to faculty teaching your other classes to discuss options. Faculty contact information can be found here: https://www.utep.edu/liberalarts/music/people/index.html
Who can address my additional questions or concerns?
- Contact your applied music instructor, ensemble director, or area coordinator. Their contact information may be found here: https://www.utep.edu/liberalarts/music/people/index.html
- If you are unsure who to contact, you may email music@utep.edu
- Please see the following websites for additional information:
- UT System: https://www.utsystem.edu/sites/covid-19
- UTEP: https://www.utep.edu/ehs/COVID-19/index.html
- UTEP Department of Music: http://www.utep.edu/liberalarts/music/
What steps are being taken beyond the Department of Music to ensure health and safety?
To make sure we are keeping everyone as safe as possible, things will look a little different than they did before the COVID-19 pandemic. All rooms have been assigned much smaller room capacities to allow for proper social distancing. Some classes that are meeting face-to-face or in hybrid models will meet in much larger classrooms in the UGLC. The Department has secured HEPA filters for all applied faculty teaching face-to-face lessons along with plastic curtain barriers for use in studios and rehearsal spaces. All ensembles will be smaller to ensure we meet all room capacities and will utilize social distancing. Additionally, large room HEPA filters will be utilized in the band room, choir room, FFA 402 and the Recital Hall. The hallways will be marked for one-way traffic. Masks will be required by everyone at all times unless you are performing on your instrument and cannot wear a mask. Brass instrument bell covers will be required as will flute win-d-fenders. The department is acquiring these items. Hand sanitizer stations will be strategically placed throughout our campus. Other measures will be deployed as needed to ensure safety.
What can I do to help everyone stay safe?
- All students can do their part by doing the following:
- Wash your hands regularly.
- Practice social distancing at all times.
- Wear a mask at all times when you are unable to socially distance from others. (At all times while on campus)
- Stay home if you are sick, if anyone in your house is sick, or if you have been in contact with someone who has recently tested positive for COVID-19.
The university will be providing additional guidelines for all returning students and faculty as we approach the fall semester. We look forward to having you back in classes this fall.