Covid-19 Information
Caring for the MacPhail Community
We all play a role in helping keep each other safe. With the health of our students, faculty, and staff as our top priority, we will continue using the latest CDC and MDH to inform our protocols and will communicate regularly as our policies evolve. MacPhail is committed to helping our community work and play confidently with a rigorous focus on health and safety.
Updated September 21, 2022
What We Are Doing
Keeping Our Air Clean
MacPhail’s Minneapolis, Apple Valley, and Chanhassen HVAC systems have been upgraded to state-of-the-art ultraviolet cleaning systems which kills viruses and bacteria each time air is changed in a room.
The air change over at a higher rate per hour than required by the CDC for clinical settings.
MacPhail’s Austin has a brand new HVAC system.
Establishing Guidelines for Safe Music Instruction
Masking is recommended, but not required for faculty, staff, students and guests.
New!
Facial masks are recommended but not required for faculty, staff, students, and guests with one exception*:
- Vocal Ensembles/Choirs (such as Voices of Experience and Giving Voice Chorus, and others)
Teachers or students may request to wear masks during lessons or classes. We ask that a request to wear masks is respected.
- Masks are no longer required in Sing Play Learn with MacPhail® classes
Note – Proof of vaccinations requirement for Choir members is no longer required. While Choir members will still mask while participating in a choir, vaccinations will no longer be required and tracked.
Keeping Faculty & Staff Healthy
All MacPhail faculty and staff are required to be fully-vaccinated*.
We follow the latest state and federal guidance for risk assessment, disease prevention/tracking, and protection of public spaces and workplaces.
*Except for those with medical or religious accommodations
What You Can Do
Self-Monitor
Students and guests are asked to stay home if:
- You are experiencing COVID-like symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, fatigue, congestion or runny nose, loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- You are worried that you may be sick with COVID-19
Students and guests are asked to wear a close-fitting mask if:
- You have had close contact with someone with COVID-19
Limit Time in the Building
Students and guests are no longer asked to self-monitor their time in the buildings and limit gathering in common areas of the building.
Vending machines are unavailable.
Update: Indoor receptions with food are allowed as of September 6, 2022.
Family Members in the Building
Students and families are no longer asked to limit guests in the building.
Music Lessons Online at MacPhail
Students and Teachers who wish to continue online instruction may do so. Studios are outfitted to support online teaching.
Teaching music online is not new at MacPhail. Live Online lessons at MacPhail began in 2011 and now thousands of classes take place online each year.
Our students and faculty report amazing results with online instruction. In addition to online being a greener option that reduces carbon emissions, it requires less investment of time, and helps students focus and retain information.
If you are interested in learning more about online instruction at MacPhail or would like to start live online lessons, the JumpStart package is designed for you. Simply fill out a Student Placement Form and you can begin a package of 4 lessons offered at 25% off. One package per student. Valid for new students only. Subject to instructor/instrument availability.
For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 and its spread, please refer to the situation pages available through the CDC and the Minnesota Department of Health.
For questions or concerns about MacPhail’s COVID-19 guidelines, please contact us at covid@macphail.org.
