OC Jazz Band adjusts to the pandemic in preparation for first concert Sept. 10

The Jazz band is taking precautions during COVID-19 to keep students safe.

September 4, 2020

As Oklahoma Christian University has started its new semester, the jazz band is taking vital steps to keep students safe while still being able to play their music. Rehearsals are in full-swing but only with the help of social distancing, instrument covers and medical-grade HEPA air filters.

The first concert is planned for Sept. 10 in Judd Theatre. There will be no physical audience present, but those who are interested in watching can tune in to Facebook Live or watch later under the music tab on OC’s YouTube channel, recorded via the new Kicker Lab on campus. Currently, there are no plans to  have a live or public concert unless COVID-19 cases at OC and across Oklahoma decrease significantly. 

Heath Jones, OC professor of music, acknowledged the importance of safety precautions when playing music together during a pandemic, but he also sees the impact that music has on his students.

“Music is like taking vitamins or exercising,” Jones said. “Music is part of your health, and we want to make sure everyone is playing and staying happy.”

In each practice room, rehearsal space and office, there are medical-grade HEPA filters designed to clean the air. The band rehearses for 30 minutes at most and then lets the filter purify the air of each room. All students are required to be tested; fortunately, there have been zero band students to test positive thus far.

The music department has used the Colorado State University study as its guide, which states that performers need spacing of at least six feet for social distancing, and they must not share instruments or instrument covers. 

Donors from the OC Friends of Music have helped to provide the HEPA filters, a new piano lab for virtual lessons and covers for the instruments.
For more information on the OC Friends of Music, visit the group’s Facebook page here.