November, 2020
Hello everyone,
As always, we hope for the continued health of all of our students and their families.
We have been grateful for those who have continued their music studies, either
virtually or face-to-face and hope to see more of you in the Spring.
In all that we do, know that the goal is for the String Project to remain viable during
these trying times.
The following is an update on String Project procedures for Spring 2021. It is packed
with information we hope will meet the needs of our students, and the mandates of
the University of South Carolina, while creating the best possible environment to keep
us all safe and healthy. If you decide you cannot participate in either model at this time,
we will welcome you back when we are able to return to normal operations.
Virtual or Hybrid Option (combination of Virtual and Face-to-Face)
• Virtual – Instructors will deliver instruction to private students via an online
platform. Classes and orchestra will be live-streamed. The streaming options for
group classes and orchestra classes will be on Zoom or YouTube Live and we
will have a teachers’ assistant available to answer questions. That should
provide more interaction than we had in the spring.
• Face-to-Face – Students will have lessons, classes and orchestras at the String
Project building. If the demand is higher than we can safely accommodate, we
may adjust to a hybrid model, with some instruction taking place virtually. The
schedule is dependent upon the numbers of students enrolled.
• Families can switch from virtual to face-to-face for Spring semester (if space
allows) but will need to complete the COVID liability waiver.
We do not expect this, but if the pandemic worsens dramatically, we will have to follow
the university decision on visitors to campus. We cannot issue any refunds if the mode
of delivery changes because we have a financial obligation to our teachers who will
keep teaching, regardless of any change. I assure you, online instruction is much more
time intensive than in person.
• If you choose the face-to-face model and decide to revert to virtual, you may do
so anytime by contacting [email protected].
• If you choose virtual, however, you will not be able to change to face-to-face
because of the need to limit numbers in the building.
Beginning classes for both children and adults will be both virtual and face-to-face.
Students will need to rent instruments for both models. Please help us spread the word
because there will be no in-school recruiting.
Link to flyer or send flyer at same time.
Liability Waivers
The waivers can also be retrieved at: https://tinyurl.com/UofSCSPLiabilityWaiver
If you completed both forms for Fall 2020, those will suffice for Spring 2021.
The University of South Carolina is requiring both adult students and parents of
students under 18 to sign the waivers for participation in the University of South
Carolina String Project. Your registration will be void without the liability waiver for
either model.
need to send via USPS, send to:
University of South Carolina
School of Music/USC String Project
813 Assembly Street
Columbia, SC 29208
• If you select the face-to-face model, you need to return both waivers (the virtual
release and the COVID waivers). If you are selecting virtual, you need send only
the form for virtual release.
• The forms are different for children and adults.
• To reiterate, for this semester, once you choose virtual, we ask that you remain
in that mode for the entire semester for our planning purposes.
Procedures & Expectations for On-site Classes
Entering building
• Each student entering the building must have an appropriate face covering
(covering nose and mouth). No one will be permitted to enter without a mask.
• Additionally, there is no waiting area in the building. We ask that parents drop-
off or accompany their children to the door and wait in the car.
• Parents should be able to observe the classes/rehearsals via the Zoom links.
• Students will enter through the front door where they will have a temperature
check, but will leave their classes by the exits that are in each room. We will
inform you of room assignments when registration is complete.
• As indicated on the COVID liability form, we cannot lend instruments or music.
Students must remember their materials.
Classrooms
• We can accommodate approximately 20 people in the “Large” room (206),
spaced 6 feet apart, staggered rows. We will mark with colored tape.
• We can accommodate approximately 12-15 in “medium-sized” rooms (219 and
220), spaced 6 feet apart, staggered rows. We will mark with colored tape.
• The numbers we can safely teach are highly fluid at this time. There has been
MUCH discussion in the music education community on this issue. You may
click on the hyperlink to read more, if you wish.
• Students will wipe down chairs and stands at the close of class or rehearsal.
Lessons
• We have vinyl shields (Clear marine grade vinyl) in studios, placed at a diagonal
so the teacher is on one side and the student can enter the room without
crossing paths.
Safety Measures & Hygiene Supplies
• Please send 2 sanitizing wipes with your child (or yourself) each time they come
to the building.
Students will need to wipe their pegs before and after a teacher tunes the instruments.
If you can donate disinfectant spray or wipes, it will help the SP budget. We will also be
happy to accept monetary donations:
https://tinyurl.com/DonateUofSCSP
Health Check
• We require families/adult students to complete the following form by Sunday of
each week: https://tinyurl.com/SPHealthCheck
• For the safety of all, we will be relying on you to not send children or yourself
with any of the symptoms of Covid-19. (Fever, cough, shortness of breath, etc).
Full disclosure
The building is being used by other School of Music faculty/students during the day to
alleviate crowding in the main building. Appropriate measures are in place, but we
believe you need to know this in order to make an informed decision for yourself
and/or your child. Currently, all classes are non-aerosol producing.
I have revised the orchestra schedule based on the most recent data. If we are able to
extend the length in the future, we will do so.
1. Existing Smart Music licenses will work during Spring 2021.
2. Sign and send the liability waiver via email or USPS.
3. The parking passes are available and because of the ‘current situation’, we are
able to offer for $25 each semester. Because of the already greatly reduced price,
there can be no refunds. You can, of course, wait to order closer to the start of
the semester.
IF
• We need to go virtual, we have much more information and are better prepared
than we were in March, when we were all in crisis mode.
We have set a registration due date of January 8, 2021.
Calendar
January 12 Information meeting for new students (via Zoom)
January 19 Classes and lessons begin
January 21 Orchestras begin
February 25 UofSC Wellness Holiday (No SP classes, lessons or rehearsals)
March 12 UofSC Wellness Holiday (No SP classes, lessons or rehearsals)
March 30 UofSC Wellness Holiday (No SP classes, lessons or rehearsals)
April 6, 7 Silver Strings 2 classes end. Silver Strings orchestra continues
April 13, 14 Private lesson recitals.
April 15 Socially distanced orchestra concert (details TBA)
April 21 UofSC Wellness Holiday (No SP classes, lessons or rehearsals)
April 22 Socially distanced orchestra concert rain date (details TBA)
In closing
Thank you so much for your patience and understanding. These are difficult times, but
nothing that we cannot endure. We are doing our best to meet with our students, meet
University of South Carolina mandates and keep us all healthy. If you decide you
cannot participate in either model at this time, we will welcome you back at any time
you choose.
With Warm Regards,
Gail V. Barnes, Ph.D.
Director, USC String Project
