Students can soon toot their own horns after the latest provincial announcement for bands and choirs.

A bulletin sent out by the Department of Education is allowing schools to resume indoor singing and instrument paying in regular music classes. 

Wind instruments and horns can be used in class or extracurricular activities as long as there are no more than 25 people, including teachers/staff in the area. Participants must be two meters apart, starting from the length of the instrument. The province says instruments need to be cleaned after each use.

"All other public health measures must also be adhered to, including frequent handwashing and the wearing of masks," the bulletin says.

If the spacing is not possible, classes can use Plexiglas or other barriers. They must be cleaned and disinfected after each practice. 

"These measures were developed in consultation with the Manitoba Music Educators’ Association (MMEA) and the Association of Music Administrators of Manitoba (AMAM). The Department of Education would like to thank MMEA and AMAM for their cooperation and advocacy on behalf of Manitoba students."

Concerts may not take place at this time. The Department of Education says if the Public Health Orders allow for in-person concerts, the school recommendations will be changed to allow them as well.

The department is asking educators to consider the following guides:

  • persons in the room who are not singing/playing instruments should be at least two metres away from the performers, or farther away if possible, and should wear a mask at all times
  • wind and brass instruments should not be shared between students, if possible. If it is necessary to share them for equity reasons, instruments must be thoroughly cleaned between each use
  • students should empty spit valves when no one else is present. If this is not possible, students should empty spit valves while maintaining two metres physical distancing and ensuring that others are wearing masks
  • equipment and materials such as music sheets, music stands, and so on should not be shared between students
  • the room used for music should have a well-functioning ventilation system. School staff should verify that the air exchange system is functioning properly
  • when weather permits, teachers should consider conducting music classes outside, if possible
  • students should be arranged facing forward in straight, staggered lines in band and choir, and should be facing slightly away from each other when singing or playing wind instruments