The New Reality: Instrumental Ensembles

As the 2019-20 academic year and ensemble seasons come to a close, many institutions find themselves looking ahead to their 2020-21 season and understanding the challenging reality of living, teaching, and performing in the age of COVID-19. While governments across the world begin to ease stay-at-home orders, much uncertainty remains surrounding the risks and effective safety-measures for instrumental ensemble rehearsals and performances. However, in the short amount of time that the virus has gripped our world, a number of arts organizations, including the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Philharmonic, and a cohort of Berlin orchestras, have undertaken research to understand the implications of COVID-19 on rehearsals and performance. Below, are links to some of their findings

Please note: the PRJC provides these resources without interpretation. Further, by publishing these resources, the PRJC makes no claims about the accuracy of the findings.

The Bamberg Symphony

May 5, 2020: Bamberg Symphony Orchestra: Scientists Measure Aerosol Emissions (translated)

The Vienna Philharmonic

May 16, 2020 Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra: “Almost Impossible to get Infected at the Podium.”(translated)

May 17, 2020: Philharmonics show little risk of infection (translated)

May 18, 2020: Vienna Philharmonic: how is the performance possible?(translated)

The Berlin Philharmonic

May 7, 2020: Orchestra Rules of the Berlin Charité(translated)

May 8, 2020: Berlin Philharmonic: Berlin study issues recommendations for orchestral distancing

May 8, 2020: Important: Berlin Scientists Issue Rules for Orchestra Distancing

How is your ensemble planning for next season? What safety measures and mitigation efforts are you exploring?