Update on WellRehearsed

Suspension of Covid infection reporting app for leisure-time music groups to be followed by final report

Making Music, the UK’s membership organisation for leisure-time music groups, and  abcd, the Association of British Choral Directors, have suspended the WellRehearsed Covid infection rehearsal reporting app following the end of Covid restrictions across the UK.

Launched in June 2021, WellRehearsed was developed as a quick and simple-to-use risk management tool to collect data on the Covid safety of all leisure-time music groups, vocal and instrumental, rehearsing in person. Available free on iOS and Android, the app did not collect any personal data and asked two short, anonymous questions: Has your choir/music group met for a rehearsal in the last week? Were any infections subsequently reported by persons attending it? 

Over the 10 months that the app was live, more than 8,000 rehearsal reports were submitted from music groups across the UK. The data has helped Making Music and abcd to keep their own guidance up to date and evaluate the effectiveness of risk mitigations, as well as offer policy makers real-life evidence on the likelihood of Covid transmission in music groups. The live statistics on the app’s website proved helpful in providing many music groups with an overall picture of infection rates as similar groups returned to in-person rehearsals.

As Covid restrictions are being removed across all four nations, the volume of reporting has started to drop, which means it has become increasingly difficult to report on trends in a meaningful way. However, WellRehearsed will be reinstated should the need arise again in the future. 

Over the next few weeks, the data collected will be analysed and a final report will be published in due course. 

Barbara Eifler, Making Music Chief Executive, said:

“This app has been a great example of how we can work together as a community to collect evidence which can help policy makers take the right decisions, and us associations review our guidance in real time. A big thank you is due to all the groups who reported their in-person rehearsals week in week out, whether or not infections subsequently occurred.”

Rachel Greaves, abcd General Secretary, said: 

“After such a long period of stifling restrictions, it has been really uplifting to see so many music groups of all kinds keen to contribute to the data by reporting each week. It has also demonstrated just how many groups have returned to live music-making after lockdown. The app has enabled us to collect data from real rehearsals and has played a vital role in helping us make the case for singing and music-making generally.”

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Making Music, 8 Holyrood Street, London SE1 2EL
020 7939 6030
info@makingmusic.org.uk
www.makingmusic.org.uk

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Making Music, The National Federation of Music Societies
A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales no. 308632
Registered Charity in England and Wales no. 249219 and in Scotland no. SC038849

Notes to editors

Making Music has championed leisure-time music groups since 1935 across the UK with practical services, artistic development opportunities and by providing a collective voice for its members. We represent over 3,800 groups made up of around 220,000 musicians of all types, genres and abilities. We help them run their groups so they can get on with making music! www.makingmusic.org.uk | info@makingmusic.org.uk 

The Association of British Choral Directors (abcd) is the leading UK organisation devoted entirely to supporting those leading choral music, amateur and professional. It is committed to promoting opportunities for the professional development of everyone leading singing, in the classroom or the community, and runs an extensive programme of courses, as well as providing advice and support for all choral leaders. www.abcd.org.uk | rachel.greaves@abcd.org.uk