A safe return to music making
As we plan a return of academic and artistic excellence to the halls of Imig Music Building this semester, we understand that you have questions. You have concerns. As parents, the safety and academic experience of your child is of the utmost importance. As a student, knowing what your academic experience will look like is a pressing question at this extraordinary moment. To that end, this page is a resource for everyone at the College of Music.
We have been working in close alignment with the University of Colorado Boulder’s guidelines and have had numerous conversations with college faculty and staff and campus aerosolization, HVAC and risk mitigation experts. Read on below for provisional plans for studio, ensemble and classroom instruction.
Campus operating status
The College of Music and the University of Colorado Boulder are currently operating in a remote capacity. All on-campus activities are canceled and learning is being conducted fully online until Feb. 15, 2021.
Important resources
College protocols
Academics
Will my classes, lessons or studio classes meet in person?
- All courses, lessons and studio classes at the College of Music will be taught online through the first month of the Spring 2021 semester. We will tentatively resume in-person activities, at the same level of the Fall 2020 "Extended" operating status, on Feb. 15, 2021.
- When in-person activities resume, all performers must continue to use masks and (where applicable) bell covers.
- Aerosol instruments (voice, woodwinds, brass) must engage in 8’ distancing from others when playing their instruments. Bassoonists and trombonists are required to follow a 9’ minimum distance from others when playing their instruments.
Will my exams be taken in-person or remotely?
- Preliminary, master’s qualifying and comprehensive exams; final oral exams and dissertation defenses will be administered remotely.
Will my jury be held in person?
- All College of Music activities will be held online through the first month of the Spring 2021 semester. We will tentatively resume in-person activities, at the same level of the Fall 2020 "Extended" operating status, on Feb. 15, 2021. Spring jury determinations will be made at a later date.
- When in-person activities resume, all performers must continue to use masks and (where applicable) bell covers.
- Aerosol instruments (voice, woodwinds, brass) must engage in 8’ distancing from others when playing their instruments. Bassoonists and trombonists are required to follow a 9’ minimum distance from others when playing their instruments.
Rehearsal and performance
Are practice rooms open?
- Practice rooms, along with the rest of the College of Music's facilities, will remain open.
Are practice rooms properly ventilated?
- HVAC performance has been determined to be sufficient in the Imig Music Building practice rooms.
- Unfortunately, ventilation in Carlson Gym is not suitable for voice, woodwind or brass instruments and may only be used for string instrument practicing.
How do I schedule a practice room?
To schedule a practice room, you must reserve your time via EMS.
- In order to allow for proper air turnover between practice sessions, you must allow for one vacant time slot of at least 15 minutes between practice sessions.
- Do not sign up for more time than you intend to use, and please limit sign-ups to a maximum of two hours per session.
- If you do not intend to use the room during the time you signed up for, remove your name from EMS.
- Use only the room you signed up for and be sure to exit the room before the end of your sign-up time.
Where will I practice?
- The practice rooms at Imig will be reserved for voice, brass, woodwind and keyboard musicians. Hallways will be marked to designate which area can use each set of practice rooms.
- Due to ventilation concerns, Carlson Gym cannot be used for voice, woodwind or brass instrument practice. At this time, the 17 practice spaces available there will be reserved for string musicians and some keyboard and percussion.
- Note: Double bass students may still practice in Imig to avoid transporting their instruments.
How will practice rooms be cleaned?
- Do not congregate in practice room hallways.
- Prior to entering the room, use the sanitization station to sanitize any surface you will be in contact with, including the piano keys and bench and door handles. Dispose of any paper towels you use in the hallway trashcans.
- If there are no sanitization materials available, please email both mark.mikkelsen@colorado.edu and peggy.hinton@colorado.edu.
Do I need to wear a mask while I'm practicing?
- Well-fitting masks are recommended, but not required, for use by solo musicians in Imig practice rooms. They are required by all users in all spaces at Carlson, even while playing solo.
- For more information on health and safety guidelines for students, faculty and staff, visit the Protect Our Herd website.
- Some areas within the college are considering the use of specialized masks for instrumentalists and singers. More information will be shared by faculty when it is available.
Will there be a time limit on my rehearsal?
- As a result of findings by campus experts on aerosols and room ventilation, any woodwind, brass or voice activity (lessons, rehearsals, performance) needs to include a 15-minute break after every 30 minutes of playing. After that break, the instructor and student/ensemble can return to the room for another 30 minute of playing activity.
- At this time, plans are still being explored regarding where students and faculty can congregate during those 15-minute breaks. Check this page soon for more information.
- There is no limit on the number of times you can practice per day, but each practice session is limited to two hours.
Will my ensembles rehearse in person?
- All rehearsals at the College of Music will be held online through the first month of the Spring 2021 semester. We will tentatively resume in-person activities, at the same level of the Fall 2020 "Extended" operating status, on Feb. 15, 2021.
- When in-person activities resume, all performers must continue to use masks and (where applicable) bell covers.
- Aerosol instruments (voice, woodwinds, brass) must engage in 8’ distancing from others when playing their instruments. Bassoonists and trombonists are required to follow a 9’ minimum distance from others when playing their instruments.
How will public events be presented?
- No student recitals will be held through the first month of the Spring 2021 semester. Faculty Tuesdays recitals scheduled for that time will continue. We will tentatively resume in-person activities, at the same level of the Fall 2020 "Extended" operating status, on Feb. 15, 2021.
- Once we have re-entered "Extended" status, any scheduled events will happen as planned. The college will present these performances in a mix of livestreamed and pre-recorded events, all of which can be viewed from the comfort and safety of your home. Visit and bookmark the CU Presents website for more information and to watch these performances this fall.
- When in-person activities resume, all performers must continue to use masks and (where applicable) bell covers.
- Aerosol instruments (voice, woodwinds, brass) must engage in 8’ distancing from others when playing their instruments. Bassoonists and trombonists are required to follow a 9’ minimum distance from others when playing their instruments.
Will there be any in-person events?
- With the exception of student degree recitals, no in-person, public events will occur in person during the Spring 2021 semester.
Do I need to wear a mask during my performance?
- Well-fitting masks are required in indoor and outdoor public places on the University of Colorado Boulder campus and are the personal responsibility of everyone to keep our community safe. This includes during rehearsal and performance, unless you are playing a wind instrument.
- For more information on health and safety guidelines for students, faculty and staff, visit the Protect Our Herd website.
- Some areas within the college are considering the use of specialized masks for instrumentalists and singers. More information will be shared by faculty when it is available.
Will there be a time limit on performances?
- As a result of findings by campus experts on aerosols and room ventilation, any woodwind, brass or voice activity (lessons, rehearsals, performance) needs to include a 15-minute break after every 30 minutes of playing. After that break, the instructor and student/ensemble can return to the room for another 30 minute of playing activity.
- At this time, plans are still being explored regarding where students and faculty can congregate during those 15-minute breaks. Check this page soon for more information.
General operations
Will I be required to bring specific equipment or technology?
- If possible, it is recommended that students purchase a USB microphone
- The College of Music is compiling information on equipment checkouts; check back to this page soon for more information.
How do I rent a locker?
- Locker assignment for Spring 2021 will be entirely online. To check out a locker, please fill out this form. Then, make the locker payment here. You will then receive an email confirmation from Dustin Rumsey.
How do I rent an instrument?
- Instruments are assigned to one student and must not be shared. To rent an instrument, please fill out this form and email dustin.rumsey@colorado.edu to arrange pick up.
Are any College of Music facilities open?
- At this time, all College of Music facilities are closed. They will reopen at the beginning of the spring semester on Jan. 14, 2021.
Will I be able to go to the Music Library?
- The Music Library will remain closed. However, all materials will still be available via request and contactless pickup. Find out more about contactless hold pickup, returning materials to the library, course reserves and remote access to libraries materials on the CU Libraries COVID-19 resources page.
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If you're still not sure what to expect this spring, get in touch and someone at CU Boulder will respond as quickly as possible.
Need more help?
For campus technology issues or concerns, call the Office of Information Technology at 303-735-4357 (5-HELP).
For health questions, contact your health care provider or Medical Services at 303-492-5101 (24/7 nurse line available) for advice and recommendations.
For mental health questions or concerns, call Counseling and Psychiatric Services at 303-492-2277 (24/7 support available).
For faculty and staff, call Faculty and Staff Assistance Program at 303-492-3020.