Yes, the acweboard@freelists email will not accept emails from unapproved
accounts. Tom, would you be ok with people sending to the acwepresident email?
That would keep it somewhat more confidential, at least…
Jessica
On Jan 8, 2022, 12:40 PM -0600, Ellen Knapton <eknapton@xxxxxxx>, wrote:
This looks good Tom. Thank you putting this together. Two thoughts
First — do we want to indicate that music pick up is optional.
Second — I remember reading that the board freelists will not work for non
board members. Not sure if the situation was remedied.
Ellen
Sent from my iPhone
On Jan 8, 2022, at 9:44 AM, Thomas Hensle <tomhensle@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
My email to the band below. Sound ok? We should still reach out to section
reps and have them come at 7 to sort music. Warren, what email should I
poke in there instead of acweboard@freelists? We could just have them email
acwepres.
Hello Band,
Happy New Year to you all!
The Board has decided to modify the first couple of weeks of rehearsal in
response to Austin entering stage 5 of Covid alert this week. This coming
Tuesday the 11th, members will be able to pick up their music at Covenant
United Methodist Church from 7:30-8:00 PM. The following Tuesday the 18th,
Robert will host a Zoom meeting for all members to say hello and walk
through a couple of the pieces with us. The hope is that we will use these
couple of weeks to knock some of the rust off of our horns at home and be
better prepared for our first in-person rehearsal on Tuesday the 25th
(Covid permitting).
When ACWE meets in person again, vaccinations will be required to attend
rehearsals. Please read through the points below for all of the information
regarding rehearsals and the Band's Covid Protocols.
• Vaccinations are currently required to attend rehearsals. Participants
must be fully vaccinated, by the CDC definition (currently 2 doses of
Pfizer or Moderna or 1 dose of J&J). Please bring proof of vaccination to
the first rehearsal you attend. Once Travis county drops to stage 2 of
Covid Alert, proof of vaccination will no longer be required.
• If you are exposed to someone who tests positive for Covid, or is showing
Covid symptoms, please do not come to rehearsal for at least one week.
• Any member who gets Covid agrees to inform the ACWE board by email
(acweboard@xxxxxxxxxxxxx). The board will then notify all ACWE members who
were at the previous rehearsal with that band member. Please wait to return
to rehearsals until one week after symptoms disappear.
• Attendance will be taken at each rehearsal. Minimum attendance
requirements will not be enforced. Please stay home to be safe as needed.
• Masks are required in the Covenant Church building, please wear a mask
when outside of the rehearsal area.
• Brass players, please bring your own cloth to catch spit each rehearsal.
We hope to make the best of this season while maintaining a reasonably safe
environment for our friends. Please do not take any risks you are
uncomfortable with. The Board has spent a lot of time discussing the Band's
return to music in person. We've tried to find the appropriate balance of
risk and reward, and more than anything we look forward to being able to
play music together again.
I hope to see many of you briefly on Tuesday!
-Tom
On Fri, Jan 7, 2022 at 4:56 PM Jarred Prejean <jarredprejean@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Yeah, I'd say no more than one part per piece per player. Section reps
can shift and reallocate as needed later.
From: acweboard-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <acweboard-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
on behalf of Michael Bell <mikekb@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, January 7, 2022 2:46:19 PM
To: acweboard@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <acweboard@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [acweboard] Re: ACWE's Return to Rehearsals
One concern with giving out the music will be part allocation. I guess
for now people could grab what they have usually played. Or maybe
section reps can make some quick decisions. So we don't cause Jarred
too much pain, no one should take more than one part. As in, a trumpet
player shouldn't take a full set of 1st and 2nd parts.
Mike
On Fri, Jan 7, 2022 at 1:56 PM Robert Laguna
<dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Sooo...
1. delay start
2. Tuesday 1/11 - distribute music
3. Tuesday 1/18 - zoom stuff
4. Tuesday 1/25 (maybe) - 1st rehearsal
OK. I'm game. Here's the zoom invite:
Robert Laguna is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: ACWE SP22 Music Looksee
Time: Jan 18, 2022 07:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85161124825?pwd=ZTlGTEJmWnhsQnQwNkN2SmtSUWIxZz09
Meeting ID: 851 6112 4825
Passcode: 686398
One tap mobile
+13462487799,,85161124825#,,,,*686398# US (Houston)
+16699006833,,85161124825#,,,,*686398# US (San Jose)
Dial by your location
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
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+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 851 6112 4825
Passcode: 686398
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdKcqaMbUC
On Friday, January 7, 2022, 01:08:29 PM CST, Caroline Soper
<caroline.m.soper@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Howdy, I can be available this coming Tuesday after 6pm outside the
church to help with music sorting and distribution that would aid the
ensemble in a few Zoom rehearsals.
Caroline
On Fri, Jan 7, 2022, 12:14 PM Marc Frazier <marcdfrazier@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
FYI--that plan sounds good to me, too.
Also, if there's a need for another day/ method of distributing the
music to folks who can't make it Tuesday, I'll do what I can to
accommodate..
On Fri, Jan 7, 2022 at 8:39 AM Thomas Hensle <tomhensle@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Ok, the board pendulum has swung with a majority favoring
postponement, especially now that we are in stage 5. The average
response as to how long we should delay is 2 weeks or when Austin
leaves stage 5.
Now to decide what we do on Tuesday/the following week. We've had
the suggestions of a Zoom session to go over music before we
begin in person again, and to hand out music in person at an
appointed time and then do the Zoom work.
Robert, are you up for doing the Zoom walkthrough(s) as
described? If so, then we can choose to do music pickup on
Tuesday (thanks for getting the folders Marc) and have the first
Zoom be the following week, or we can pick another night for
music pickup or the Zoom to get them both in next week.
I lean towards music sorting and pickup next week and Zoom the
following week.
-Tom
On Thu, Jan 6, 2022 at 8:24 PM Caroline Soper
<caroline.m.soper@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I vote to delay in-person rehearsals while in stage 5 atleast.
It was looking as though things were headed in this direction.
I really like Marc's plan though!
Caroline
On Thu, Jan 6, 2022, 8:06 PM Michael Bell
<mikekb@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Austin Civic Orchestra has canceled its February 5th concert
and all rehearsals up until then.
Mike
On Thu, Jan 6, 2022 at 7:33 PM Jarred Prejean
<jarredprejean@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
For the record, I was only suggesting scanning a piece or
two. Not all of them.
From: acweboard-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<acweboard-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> on behalf of Jessica
Johnson <jessica.a.johnson@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, January 6, 2022 5:34:11 PM
To: acweboard@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <acweboard@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [acweboard] Re: ACWE's Return to Rehearsals
Regarding the possible plan Jarred just mentioned, we might
be able to do the scores, but we couldn't scan all the
parts.
On Jan 6, 2022, 5:10 PM -0600, Jarred Prejean
<jarredprejean@xxxxxxxxxxx>, wrote:
Since we are a civic group that has often—and hopefully
will again—get money from the city, I feel like we should
probably follow APH’s guidelines, especially at stage 5.
We could do what a lot of schools are doing and go remote
for the first week or two. Although I’m generally opposed
to scanning copyrighted music, we could—if Robert has
time—do a Zoom in which he goes over a piece or two,
perhaps with listening samples and a PDF of the score he
can walk the band through (or, you know, what he was
describing earlier this week). We could even, I suppose,
scan parts so that people could follow along on the parts
they expect to play and perhaps even start looking at
music on their own.
Of course, this is all dependent on someone being able to
scan parts. Mike or Jessica, that might have to fall to
you since you guys have the music right now.
From: acweboard-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<acweboard-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> on behalf of Warren Gill
<mymaestro@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, January 6, 2022 12:53:02 PM
To: acweboard@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <acweboard@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [acweboard] Re: ACWE's Return to Rehearsals
I vote to delay 1 week.
Further, I think it could be cool in a separate note to
start sharing with the band our planned spring program.
Let's start listening to pieces and get them in our
heads, if not under our fingers.
On Thu, Jan 6, 2022 at 11:45 AM Robert Laguna
<dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Oh well... there goes that. Maybe we can have a zoom
meeting on Tuesday to discuss existentialism and the
Gettier problem as it relates to Wind Ensembles?
Seriously, though. I believe this means that we suspend
activities in accordance to our policy. Yes?
RL
On Thursday, January 6, 2022, 11:31:43 AM CST, Michael
Bell <mikekb@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
As of today Austin is at Stage 5.
https://www.austintexas.gov/page/covid-19-risk-based-guidelines
Mike
On Thu, Jan 6, 2022 at 11:22 AM Robert Laguna
<dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
My dear friends,
I've read all the concerns very carefully before
chiming in with my $0.02 because (for whatever
reason) I know that sometimes my opinion as
conductor/music director may somehow have more weight
than others'. As you read my email, I ask that you
take it on face value without judgement or being
suggestive of an authoritative outcome. You are my
friends and I deeply respect and love each of you.
I started preparing my response by taking each point
(pro and con) and presenting a counterargument for
them with the hope that this method would bring us
closer to a clear decision. After a few hours I
realized that this approach was futile. Every major
point raised presents a moving target that has an
equally relevant counter. This is extremely
frustrating and the stakes are high. No wonder we're
here now. On the positive side, it shows that we're
deeply vested in each other's well-being and safety.
Seeking guidance through meditation and prayer, I was
reminded of this quote by Richard Bach (not related
to J.S. Bach): “Your conscience is the measure of the
honesty of your selfishness. Listen to it carefully.”
I could go on explaining the insights gained on my
exploration of existentialism and how it relates to
the Gettier problem but by now, if you're not asleep,
you will be soon. So I think I will spare you the
diatribe and get on with my summary and suggestion:
I believe that the difference between January 4 and
January 5 is not enough for me to change my mind when
weighing the risks and benefits of meeting to make
music. I can understand why those who do not
participate in music at this level cannot see how
essential this activity is to some of us. So be it.
When it comes to it the decision is as personal as
any these days (do I show up to work? do I go to HEB?
do I get in my car with others? do I get in a plane?
go on a cruise?).
So here's my suggestion: Those who still wish to meet
on Tuesday at the regular time can meet with me. In
the event that I need to get the music, I can
coordinate a time and place to do so. Folks should
bring their instruments. If there are enough
instruments, we will sight read the program. If not,
we will have a listening session where I will play
the pieces while reading the parts and we can talk
them through. Either way, folks need to decide
whether the risk is worth taking according to their
own situation. Nothing required, no judgement.
If (and when) we go to Stage 5, all bets are off and
we cancel again.
Tom, I don't think that this would require a vote
since it is in line with what we decided on Tuesday,
but I will leave that to you. Whether we move
forward, postpone, or cancel, do you think that a
clarification statement needs to go out to the
ensemble?
All - Once more, thank you all for everything that
you do for the ensemble.
Robert
On Wednesday, January 5, 2022, 09:44:31 PM CST,
Jessica Johnson <jessica.a.johnson@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I can see the point about polling not being necessary
or beneficial at this juncture. Honestly, the main
reason I recommended it was to just buy us some time
to process this decision a bit more, especially in
light of the information Jimmy shared and the massive
increase in cases that Warren just mentioned.
I talked with a good friend who works full time at a
hospital in Austin (not the same one I’m at). He
genuinely thought I was joking when I told him about
the plans to start this Tuesday. That’s why I’m
concerned about this. Along with:
-Short-staffing due to RNs, PTs, techs, etc having
left the field over the past year
-Short-staffing due to COVID+ personnel
-Even if a patient is hospitalized for say, a broken
bone, and they are found to be asymptomatic COVID,
the staff still have to take extraordinary caution to
not spread it to their next pt.
-Omicron is spreading so rapidly that there is a good
chance (not a guarantee, but a good chance) that this
wave will burn out more quickly than others, meaning
that postponing wouldn’t be a months long delay like
it’s been for us in the past.
-***No one is more tired of this damn pandemic than
hospital staff.***
I’m not sharing this to guilt trip anyone. It’d just
feel shady(?) if I didn’t.
Jessica
On Jan 5, 2022, 8:32 PM -0600, Warren Gill
<mymaestro@xxxxxxxxx>, wrote:
First, I agree a poll at this time is not going to
change anything, and would not be helpful in making
a decision. For those and other reasons Tom brings,
polling won't work.
Two things changed my outlook, since last night.
1) Advice from a trusted professional (other groups
also not rehearsing, and cases hitting "close to
home")
2) A look at the latest stats. 1250 new cases TODAY
will probably tip the scale to move into Stage 5
(another source shows 2,310 new cases but 0
yesterday (hmm)
https://g.co/kgs/obRjzq
https://austin.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/39e4f8d4acb0433baae6d15a931fa984
3) My gut feel is this will pass quickly, with the
new variant being very contagious but not loading
the hospitals as deeply.
On Wed, Jan 5, 2022 at 7:51 PM Thomas Hensle
<tomhensle@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi Team,
My first question is: what has changed since last
night? I don't think that circumstances have
shifted significantly since our meeting. We
touched on the possibility of postponement, but
no one expressed interest in it or pushed for
further discussion of it that I recall.
I don't really like the idea of another poll. It
feels like a punt of responsibility after we've
already discussed and made the decision. If we
really do want to postpone, we can decide to do
so without a poll.
Part of our decision was acknowledging that band
members are capable of deciding what risk they
will tolerate in the current era of Covid. This
is somewhat of a shift from our earlier pandemic
reasons for postponement when there was less
information and no vaccines and/or boosters.
Would a poll save us a wasted hour if only 12
people show up next Tuesday? Yes. But is that
really a wasted hour at this point, given the
framework for how we came to our decision last
night?
I do think we should be flexible enough as a
board to change our collective mind and re-vote
on a decision we made if the need arises and/or
we get new information. My opinion is that we do
not need to in this case.
We should continue this discussion relatively
quickly so that we can inform the band of what is
to come.
Thanks,
Tom
On Wed, Jan 5, 2022 at 6:21 PM Marc Frazier
<marcdfrazier@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Polling wouldn’t hurt anything.
Short delays might be easier for everyone to
stomach than on again-off again.
Sent from my iPhone
On Jan 5, 2022, at 5:12 PM, Jessica Johnson
<jessica.a.johnson@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I support the idea of polling the membership
to see if we should postpone starting
rehearsals for 2-3 weeks.
Jessica
On Jan 5, 2022, 4:48 PM -0600, Caroline Soper
<caroline.m.soper@xxxxxxxxx>, wrote:
I'm thinking it might be best to postpone
2-3 weeks atleast with the latest surges
going on after the holidays. That would
give people additional time to get boosted.
There have been a number of cases at my
work place too in the last month. What is
our current plan if Travis county moves to
stage 5?
Caroline
On Wed, Jan 5, 2022, 4:17 PM Ellen Knapton
<eknapton@xxxxxxx> wrote:
We could poll members to see who would
actually return now vs postponing a week
or two.
Sent from my iPhone
On Jan 5, 2022, at 4:00 PM, Warren Gill
<mymaestro@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Much as I hate second-guessing, a week
delay?
On Wed, Jan 5, 2022 at 2:27 PM James
Bigham <jbigham98@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
*pokes head up out of trenches*
"stuffs really on fire, yo.
Hi gang. Just wanted to give a heads
up that things are grim on the front
lines. I've had 3 minions go down
with a case of covid over the last 2
days. Lots, and I mean lots of tests
are coming back positive. As much as
I want to be back and playing again,
an unbiased assessment of the
dumpster fire we're in is necessary.
It might behoove the group to
postpone.
Alright, back to the trenches. More
shells incoming. Stay safe out there.
Jimmythetuba
On Wed, Jan 5, 2022, 1:59 PM Marc
Frazier <marcdfrazier@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Nicely done.
Sent from my iPhone
On Jan 5, 2022, at 12:32 PM,
Warren Gill <mymaestro@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
The acweboard@xxxxxxxxxxxxx email
address does not accept mail from
outside the group.
In fact I sent one to this mail
from another account, and I don't
see it in the forum.
On Tue, Jan 4, 2022 at 10:50 PM
Thomas Hensle
<tomhensle@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Let me know if there are
changes to be made or things I
missed. Thanks for the notes
Melissa!
Hello Band!
Happy New Year!
The Board voted last night to
go ahead as planned with
beginning ACWE's season next
Tuesday the 11th at 7:30 PM.
Vaccinations are currently
required to attend rehearsals.
Please read through the points
below for all of the
information regarding
rehearsals and the Band's Covid
Protocols.
• Vaccinations are currently
required to attend rehearsals.
Participants must be fully
vaccinated, by the CDC
definition (currently 2 doses
of Pfizer or Moderna or 1 dose
of J&J). Please bring proof of
vaccination to the first
rehearsal you attend. Once
Travis county drops to stage 2
of Covid Alert, proof of
vaccination will no longer be
required.
• If you are exposed to someone
who tests positive for Covid,
or is showing Covid symptoms,
please do not come to rehearsal
for at least one week.
• Any member who gets Covid
agrees to inform the ACWE board
by email
(acweboard@xxxxxxxxxxxxx). The
board will then notify all ACWE
members who were at the
previous rehearsal with that
band member. Please wait to
return to rehearsals until one
week after symptoms disappear.
• Attendance will be taken at
each rehearsal. Minimum
attendance requirements will
not be enforced. Please stay
home to be safe as needed.
• Masks are required in the
Covenant Church building,
please wear a mask when outside
of the rehearsal area.
• Brass players, please bring
your own cloth to catch spit
each rehearsal.
First rehearsal items to bring:
-proof of vaccination
-mask
-spit cloth for brass players
-your horn
-you!
We hope to make the best of
this season while maintaining a
reasonably safe environment for
our friends. Please do not take
any risks you are uncomfortable
with. The Board has spent a lot
of time discussing the Band's
return to music in person.
We've tried to find the
appropriate balance of risk and
reward, and more than anything
we look forward to being able
to play music together again.
Thank you,
Tom
