August 4, 2020

Dear BMS Students and Families,

With our lessons and classes starting in mid-September, I wanted to let you know that BMS will begin all private lessons and group classes remotely for the Fall 2020 term. Given the charming character of our Music School’s building with its tight quarters and many small studios, we have determined that online learning is the path we must take, at least initially, to ensure the safety of students, faculty, and staff.

This decision was not made lightly as we would love to be back in person making music with all of you! Our Reopening Task Force, comprised of Board members including two physicians, and administrative staff, has spent the past two months gathering data, reviewing local, state, and federal guidelines, and thoughtfully analyzing BMS’s specific situation, options, and logistics for reopening. The Task Force will re-assess throughout the fall if/when it will be safe to reopen in person.

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Benefits of Music Online

While starting the school year online is not what any of us had planned on, we are confident that learning music remotely has many positive attributes in these disruptive times. It is a way to stay connected, to learn, to relax, and to have something each week that can be relied upon. Plus, the extra practice time is having a very positive impact on so many of our student musicians.

Following are details about our reopening:

• - All private lessons and most group classes will begin the week of September 14th
• - Classes and ensembles will be designed (content, class length, and term length) to best meet the needs of students and faculty in a remote mode, and if they move back to in-person mid-term, we will address any necessary changes
• - New classes are being created to help bridge this online time
• - Music Moves for Piano (group piano), Early Childhood, Vocal Discovery, and Dance Classes will be taught online for the full Fall term
• - Voice lessons, and most likely all Wind and Brass instrument lessons, will be taught online for the full Fall term.

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We're Here for You!

For those of you who have not yet enrolled due to the uncertainties we all face, we do hope that you sign up soon to ensure a preferred time slot. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. The BMS staff is reachable by phone and by email as well as by our individual emails. Our website is filled with information about our fall offerings, and has many online learning resources, including tips from our wonderful faculty.

When we do return to 25 Kennard Road, I am happy to report that you will find a new heating and air conditioning system. While this project was planned in advance of the pandemic, we were fortunate to be able to add air purification units to our implementation, which will provide a better environment not only for now, but for the future.

As we have learned over the past six months, there are many silver linings to our remote learning. One that stands out the most to me is the number of your family members who live outside of the Boston area who have been able to join recitals. We will continue to offer these opportunities while we are remote and plan to incorporate them when we are back in person as well to stay connected in this way.

As you wind down your summer, I wish you some time to relax and be outdoors. I also hope you will join us for our Sunday, August 16th Performathon and upcoming Fall Open Houses, scheduled for Sunday, August 30th and Sunday, September 13th, as we look forward to making Fall 2020 as musical and inspiring as possible.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions.

All the best,

Betsy Frauenthal

Executive Director