Plans for Re-Opening Kennard House

Since I last wrote about our re-opening plans, I feel that there is much more hope in the air. Our Board Re-Opening Task Force (comprised of Board members including a physician and Administration) continues to meet biweekly to consider how we deliver music lessons and classes during the pandemic with the safety of our students, faculty and staff as the highest priority. Further, the group is fortunate to be able to confer regularly with other local community music schools, non-profits, and summer programs to inform its decisions. Balancing the reality of our beautiful, historic Kennard House with our yearning to make music together in person continues to be the Task Force’s focus.

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Spring 2021

We will continue our learning online through Spring 2021 while we look at some possible in-person opportunities in late May and early June. Our dedicated and talented faculty, under the leadership of Zach Sawyer, Director of Education, have begun working out the logistics for such events.

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Summer 2021

Planning for Summer 2021 is underway! Our summer programming will include both in-person and online lessons and classes. We are in the midst of revamping some curriculum to ensure it allows for safe interactions between students and faculty. Be on the lookout for favorites such as Meet the Instruments updated with invigorating activities to excite young minds as they explore instruments they would like to pursue.

Chamber music and jazz workshops will also return for students to re-engage with each other in ensemble playing. For these ensembles and private lessons, we are evaluating both indoor and outdoor programming options thanks to the creativity of our faculty who have grown as both teachers and musicians over the past year, committing themselves and BMS to bring out the best in remote music lessons.

We can’t wait to share some warm and sunny days with you! Details about our summer programming will be live on the BMS website in early March. Given that summer is nearly five months away, we remain cautiously optimistic that the plans we envision will come to fruition.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions.