Coronavirus

Living with Covid – rehearsals and performances

All four nations of the UK have been living without Covid restrictions since early 2022. Although during much of 2020 and 2021 groups were required to take action to stop the spread of Covid, expectations have changed.

Likewise, many members and audiences' have changed. People are used to living with Covid, and without restrictions. Others might still have concerns and want to see some measures in place.

Case study: Putting on a COVID-secure performance - Churchill Music

We hear from groups about how they have managed to put on risk-assessed, COVID-secure performances for their audiences.

Webinar recording: Ventilation - how can it help manage the risk of Covid transmission?

In this recording of our guest speaker webinar (original event 19 November 2021), a panel of guest speakers look at ventilation and its role in mitigating the risk of Covid-19 transmission via aerosols in enclosed spaces.

We welcome:

Case studies: Group activity during Covid

The pandemic has thrown all kinds of challenges in the way of group music making. However, our member groups have found ways to rehearse or safely put on performances whether entirely online, in person, or a combination of both - all while managing to mitigate the risks of Covid infection. Read about how they have done this in their own words.

Case study: Collaborating with other groups to put on a virtual concert

Jennifer Bonsell from Aberdeen Chamber Music Concerts explains how her group collaborated with other local concert societies to share the work of putting on a virtual concert for their members.

Webinar recording: What does the latest Covid medical evidence mean for music groups?

In this recording of our guest speaker webinar (original event 18 June 2021), we look at the latest medical evidence around Covid-19 and what it means for music groups.

We welcome Professor Jackie Cassell (back by popular demand), public health specialist and amateur musician.

Topics covered include: 

  • how and why the pandemic might end
  • the science on new variants
  • vaccines

Applying for grant funding

Covid-19 has caused financial difficulties across the board, but the good news is that different types of financial support are now becoming available.

For leisure-time music groups, new or repurposed pots of grant funding are the most viable. There are a whole range of funds to apply for and different amounts available, and a little money can go a long way to making a difference.

Case study: Livestreaming in-person rehearsals

Laura Mackay and Frank Althaus of Petros Singers tell us how they livestreamed their Covid-secure in-person rehearsals to members who were unable to attend in person.

Online rehearsal platforms: Jamulus

Online platforms are websites or software that allow musicians to meet up in a virtual music room to play together using their internet connection. Jamulus uses specialist techniques to minimise 'latency' which is the delay heard on online video conference platforms (Zoom, Microsoft Teams etc).

Download the platform

Versions for Mac, Windows and Linux can be found on the official website: www.jamulus.io
Prepare your device:
For best results, before launching the software:

Online rehearsal platforms: JamKazam

Online platforms are websites or software that allow musicians to meet up in a virtual music room to play together using their internet connection. Jamkazam uses specialist techniques to minimise 'latency' which is the delay heard on online video conference platforms (Zoom, Microsoft Teams etc).