As UTM adjusts to the new way of learning on campus, UTM Music is hard at work preparing performances for the fall semester while figuring out how to make them accessible, safely.
Students may have noticed a large, white tent located near Pacer Pond. This tent will be utilized for select “Live from the Tent” performances. All other performances, master classes, and educational series will be pre-recorded and released online in the “CulturEd” Series: Music, Culture and Education right at your fingertips.
The road to the Fall 2020 semester has not been an easy one for UTM Music, but faculty and staff rose to the challenge and spent the summer brainstorming and prepping for what should be quite a memorable semester. Along with the help of student volunteers, UTM Music rearranged classrooms, practices, and performance spaces to accommodate the CDC guidelines.
“We have worked hard, since COVID-19, to find a way to provide our students with meaningful (and required for graduation) performance opportunities and offer dynamic events for our patrons,” said Katie Smith, the Graduate Assistant for the Department of Music. Ordering masks, installing a performance tent, and re-thinking rehearsal spaces are just a few of the ways UTM Music is striving to provide the best product for their students and the campus community.
The team has also created two unique performance and education series called “Live from the Tent,” and “CluturEd.” Live from the Tent will consist of a series of drive-in style performances at Pacer Pond. This will bring back live music while keeping patrons and musicians safe. CulturEd will be an online series that will consist of pre-recorded educational sessions, master classes, and recitals. CulturEd will be released every Tuesday and Thursday at 8 PM.
These new ways of performing are essential for the ever-changing world the arts has found itself in.
“There are many challenges live performances present, including increased projection of aerosol transmissions from performers and large gatherings of people in enclosed spaces. The practice of performance has been reimagined, through increasing the use of technology and exploring new performance venues, so that everyone can remain healthy. We are so grateful to the University for their support and funding through CARES Act as we navigate through these changing times,” says Smith.
UTM students and campus community members can follow UTM Music on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the most up-to-date information on events and event schedules. Make sure to also check out utm.edu/departments/music for event information and COVID-19 departmental safety measures.
