BREAKING: @ACDANational (American Choral Directors Association) led by @TimothySharp will participate & help fund a study beginning June 1 on the effects of covid-19 on the return to the rehearsal room. A # of performing arts organizations have joined forces to commission this.

The study will look at the effects of COVID-19 toward an understanding of what risks exist in performing arts classrooms and performance venues. Specifically, the study will examine aerosol rates produced by vocalists, wind instrumentalists, and actors, and ... #COVID19

...how quickly those aerosol rates accumulate in a space. The only way to determine what risk level exists or to create best practices for reducing infection risk is to understand how aerosol disbursement works in a performing arts setting. #COVID19

Once aerosol rates are better understood, the study will focus on remediation of aerosols in confined spaces: rehearsal rooms (educational & professional), classrooms, & performance settings in order to develop better understanding, policy, & practice for a safe return. #COVID19

Dr. Shelly Miller at the University of Colorado will lead the scientific study and says, “Aerosol generating activities have the potential to transmit COVID as the research shows, but we have very little data on what kinds of generation happen when playing instruments.” #COVID19

https://www.colorado.edu/even/people/shelly-miller

“We will be studying this phenomenon in our aerosol laboratory at the University of Colorado Boulder and with this data, will be able to provide better evidence-based guidance.”

Multiple national and international performing arts education organizations including ACDA, National Association of Teachers of Singing, and many more are combining resources to study the effects of COVID-19 aerosol transmission in performing arts performance settings. #COVID19

The study is a massive undertaking that will require a focused effort from all of us. #COVID19

https://www.nfhs.org/articles/unprecedented-international-coalition-led-by-performing-arts-organizations-to-commission-covid-19-study/