IMC contributes to a study on the effects of COVID-19 on the return to the rehearsal hall

Paris, August 10 2020

The International Music Council proudly announces its financial contribution to a study on the effects of COVID-19 on the return to the rehearsal hall. This donation was made possible thanks to the fundraising efforts of its member, the National Music Council of the United States.

Photo: LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images

More than 125 performing arts organisations have joined forces to commission the study with lead funding from the National Federation of State High School Associations, the College Band Directors National Association, the National Association of Music Merchants (another IMC member) and the D’Addario Foundation. The research benefits also from the moral support of some IMC members involved in formal and non-formal music education. This move was guided by the need to understand what risks exist in performing arts classrooms and performance venues.  Specifically, the study examines aerosol rates produced by wind instrumentalists, vocalists, and even actors, and how quickly those aerosol rates accumulate in a space. The insights could help prevent the cancellation of performing arts activities in the future amid the Coronavirus pandemic.

Preliminary results for woodwinds and brass were released on July 16th. A second set of findings, incorporating a wider range of activities, was released on August 6th. The study will be completed in December.

The initiators also collected articles and studies relating to COVID-19 that pertain to the study.

“The International Music Council is pleased to make this contribution as it serves the needs not only of many members of our global network but those of the entire music ecosystem, for scientific data to allow us to find ways to return to classrooms and performance halls. We could not let pass this wonderful opportunity to uphold our values, embedded in the Five Music Rights, and notably to put in practice the right for all children and adults to learn musical languages and skills and to have access to musical involvement through participation, listening, creation and information”, says IMC President Alfons Karabuda.