Looks great—thanks, Tom!
Sent from my iPhone
On Jan 8, 2022, at 7:45 PM, Thomas Hensle <tomhensle@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Sure I'll make those changes and send it out shortly.
On Sat, Jan 8, 2022 at 1:01 PM Jessica Johnson <jessica.a.johnson@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
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)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+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
