If I can get a list of the section reps, I’ll gladly do it.
Sent from my iPhone
On Jan 10, 2022, at 7:36 PM, Jessica Johnson <jessica.a.johnson@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
I have not contacted them, but I do have lists printed for each section to
take down names/parts so that the section reps who can't make it will have
that information. Also so we at least know who has picked up a folder...
Jessica
On Mon, Jan 10, 2022 at 7:01 PM Ellen Knapton <eknapton@xxxxxxx> wrote:
I have not contacted section reps.
Ellen
Sent from my iPad
On Jan 10, 2022, at 6:52 PM, Thomas Hensle <tomhensle@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Has anyone been in touch with section reps to ask them to come at 7
tomorrow to sort music?
On Sun, Jan 9, 2022 at 5:29 AM Marc Frazier <marcdfrazier@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
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
