17/03/2020
Beat This: Coronavirus Update March 2020
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
Dear Musicians/Parents/Carers
In light of the continuing and developing situation with Covid-19 (Coronavirus) in the UK, the available information and advice from the Government and health authorities, I am writing this update on the actions, we at Beat This C.I.C are taking over the coming days and weeks.
As you are probably aware, the Government’s guidance on the Coronavirus has changed from the ‘contain’ phase, to one of 'delaying’ the spread of the virus. This includes advisory information on attending events, restaurants etc. This information can be found here
https://www.gov.uk/…/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-res…
We are getting in touch to let you know what Beat This at Chime Creation Centre is doing in light of this guidance and what we expect from all of you. How we need your assistance, to help make sure our musical community is kept safe and calm.
We would like to reassure you that at Chime Creation Centre (Our HQ), we are taking all of the necessary steps to protect our service users, visitors and staff, with continuing reference to the official guidance from the Government.
What is the current situation?
Beat This/Chime remains open for music as usual — this is the current official guidance we have been given which we are following.
However, people are welcome to attend Chime, whether it’s a 1-2-1 or group session unless they feel unwell — if you or the one you care for has any of the following symptoms they are recommended to remain at home for 7 days:
• a new, continuous cough and/or
• a temperature.
What we’re doing to protect and support service users, visitors and staff
We will continue to use hand sanitiser, these will be available for all parents/carers to use when entering the building.
We have enforced a cleaning schedule using disinfectant for all work surfaces and musical instruments, e.g keyboards, ipads, drum sticks etc. which includes door handles
We have been teaching about hand-washing, this will continue.
As long-term members of the Musicians Union we are also following their guidelines:
• Avoid passing or sharing instruments between students where possible, especially where instruments come into contact with the mouth
• Clean shared instruments and equipment between uses where possible, e.g. wiping the piano keyboard or mallet handles
• Allow a sensible space between teacher and student(s) and avoid standing or sitting directly opposite each other in close proximity, especially singers
• Air the teaching room between lessons where possible and ensure that hands are washed regularly
• Teachers should follow any guidance or procedures issued by their workplace. If they teach in schools or other settings, they should follow each setting’s policy on what to do if a student presents with symptoms. If a setting has not issued guidance, request it.
• Teachers who work from their own homes or in their students’ homes should follow similar precautions. As these teachers are likely to be self-employed, they will need to be clear on their own policies regarding illness.
• The MU advises that if either teacher or the pupil is unwell with any potentially contagious symptoms, the lesson should not go ahead.
• Self-employed teachers are advised to investigate options for remote teaching. Skype or Facetime can be used for one-to-one or small-group teaching, and teachers are advised to test this out so they can use it if needed.
95% of the people that are attending Chime are either attending as individuals of their own free will (1-2-1 sessions), or are accompanied by a family member or support staff.
During the week we do not have more than 10 people using the centre at any one time.
What we need you to do
We’ll only close Chime if we’re either officially advised to do so or we don’t have enough staff to run the Centre.
In either case:
• We will alert individiuals, parents, carers and support agencies to closure though our social media pages, website and newsletter. Please keep an eye on your notifications and emails. Keep in mind that we’re only sending out this information to help us prepare incase we are forced to close.
To clarify; there are currently no plans to close Chime at this time. However, if you have any questions please consult Benny, Lee or George at anytime.
Email:
[email protected]
Tel: 01733 873014
Mobile: 07513 360050
Facebook: Ben Turner
Website:www.beatthis.org
“I would like to say one more thing. Music is in us all and will be a source of joy and inspiration, even if we have to postpone our Community Music activities, we would like to think that we are still able to listen to, create and produce music wherever you are in the world. The advantage is we have amazing technology now that we can harness to keep our spirits up and keep on creating great music.” - Benny Turner – Director – Beat This CIC.
Free apps and online studios to create music with:
https://soundation.com/
cloud-based music production
https://www.audiotool.com/
music production tool
ios apps – Garageband – korg - ikaossilator
George Gershwin: “I frequently hear music in the heart of noise.”
Thank you for your continued support and we will keep you updated with any changes to the current situation.
Stay Sonic and stay safe
Best wishes
The Beat This Team
Chime Creation Centre
Unit A, The Courtyard
Norfolk Street
Peterborough
PE1 2NP
