C-Heights Band News - Order 17
August 19, 2021
Public Health Order 17 - News for Band
Cardinal Heights Band Families & Students,
We wanted to reach out to you with new updates that impact our Sun Prairie band students based on the new Public Health Order #17 requiring masks indoors from Public Health Madison & Dane County (PHMDC). Public Health Order #17 says that “every individual, age two (2) and older, shall wear a face covering when in any enclosed space open to the public.” While there are exemptions for activities like eating and drinking, Public Health Order #17 has not provided an exemption for playing wind instruments indoors such as the previous Public Health Order #16 which included an exemption for wind playing using bell covers.
Until this order was released, we were prepared to conduct band safely indoors following mitigation guidelines highlighted by a study of aerosols at the University of Colorado. These measures included the use of slitted masks and fabric covers on the bell of the instrument. The Sun Prairie Area School District believes strongly in this comprehensive research study on responsible and appropriate mitigation strategies for band classes to take place safely indoors. We are hopeful that Public Health Madison & Dane County will restore an exemption to play instruments indoors soon. The current public health order will be active for 28 days.
Because of this, we will be welcoming your students into our band classroom starting next week, but we will hold band class and lessons outside when playing. Playing as a band will be our highest priority. The Sun Prairie Band Department is recognized for its energy and dedication to students and music and all of that energy and dedication will be poured into making band fantastic this fall.
A few points to share for our C-Heights band students and families:
Students will not need to bring their instrument to their first day of class
What to bring for outdoors:
Water bottle, hat, consider dressing in layers & bringing extra clothing for colder days
We will eventually have a tent in the back parking lot, until then we’ll rehearse out front
Outdoors, we will maintain social distancing and will not need masks/bell covers
We will work to continue to share updates as soon as we can
Band means “together” and we are grateful to work together to maximize music learning and music making for students.
Thank you for your support and working together towards our best possibilities!
Jen Diallo & Ian Melrose
C-Heights Band - Supply List
Requested Supplies:
- 1" Binder (*NEW this year!)
- Sharpened Pencils
- Working Instrument
- Reeds, Oils & Greases, Swabs, Mouthpiece, etc... see our recommended supplies here. *Percussion - take note of stick & mallet updates on pg. 2
Find more information and updates...
C-Heights Music Uniform Fitting
All Cardinal Heights music students will be fitted for a concert uniform. Options for the uniform include pants and vest, as well as a dress.
For the pants and vest options, the school will provide black tuxedo pants, black vest, and black tie These students are responsible for providing their own white collared shirt (long sleeves), black socks (calf length), and black shoes.
The school will provide a floor length black dress. Students wearing a dress are responsible for providing their own black dress shoes.
Dates for Fitting:
- No worries if you couldn't get fitted over the summer, we'll make time during class & lessons to fit any remaining students.
Thank you! Looking forward to seeing you all soon. Stay in touch and stay safe!
Mrs. Diallo
8th Grade Bands
Mr. Melrose
9th Grade Band & Wind Symphony