Vicki Boyle, performing arts educator at Mt. Hope High School, recently experienced a joy she had not experienced since sometime last year. She walked down a school hallway, stepped into the auditorium, saw performers spaced out and heard instruments, live and in person, for the first time in almost a year.

“It was wonderful, and the students were so happy,” she said.

After listening to much advocacy from the music community, the state has taken steps to allow music and choral students to participate in classes together, in person, for the first time since last March. On Feb. 15, the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) released updated guidance, allowing more access to music education in schools. It is suggested that schools adhere to a new array of safety protocols, but they are allowed to attend class together.

A survey conducted by Rhode Island Music Education Association (RIMEA) revealed a significant drop in students playing music in schools. Last March, 25,000 students were singing and playing instruments in schools every day. The number declined to 7,700 students playing and singing in schools, a 70 percent decrease.

Mt. Hope moved swiftly to respond to the new state guidelines, and on March 2, live music returned the school. The updates permit students to perform safely with a limited duration of 30 minutes or less, accompanied by distancing students 14 feet from each other while facing the same direction. Additional adjustments include the use of masks with slits for mouthpieces to play wind instruments, specialized bell covers to limit aerosols, and masks designed for singing. As the spring weather approaches, students will utilize the outdoors to minimize indoor performances.

Since the fall 2020 semester, administrators, educators, and parents have advocated for the state to reevaluate music performance guidance in schools. Prior guidance released in June by RIDE allowed some masked, socially distant classes.

Deborah DiBiase, principal of Mt. Hope High School, said, “I’m thrilled; we have been working towards this all year; our performing art educators inspire students like no other that I’ve ever seen in my 28 years in education. I’m proud of the amazing department and what they have accomplished.”

The principal said the music and choral classes are critically important. For some students, they may be the most important part of their day. “Those are the connections that motivate and bring students to school,” she said.