Mask Policy and Campus Safety Practices

Berklee is taking a number of steps to ensure that its campus facilities are as safe as possible for students, faculty, and staff. Below is an overview of the mask policy and safety practices for campus facilities. Please note that this information is subject to change, and the community will be notified of any changes accordingly.

Masks/Face Coverings and Safety Practices

For Phase 3, we will require everyone on campus to wear a mask indoors, regardless of their vaccination status.

As of January 7, 2021, we have updated our mask requirements as follows:

Acceptable masks: N95, KN95, KF94, 3-ply surgical mask, or a surgical mask doubled with a cloth mask are all acceptable options.
- Vocalists, wind, and brass instrumentalists must use specialized masks (see below for more details). Wind and brass instrumentalists must also have and use bell covers. These specialized masks and bell covers are available for purchase at the Berklee Bookstore.
Masks that are no longer accepted: Simple cloth masks, bandanas, gaiters, scarves, or other non-medical mask alternatives are no longer allowed.

Your mask must fit snugly on your nose and under your chin, and cover your mouth fully. Masks must be changed daily, and cannot be reused, so please take appropriate steps to ensure that you have sufficient masks on hand.

For emergencies only, 3-ply surgical masks will be available at Public Safety desks, Student Affairs offices, the Berklee Testing Center, and division offices across campus. Single masks will be available until supplies are depleted, and so we ask that you take seriously your responsibility to obtain your own masks.

Please note that at this time we are no longer able to allow exceptions to the masking policy for lessons, classes, ensembles, or rehearsals at faculty or administrator discretion. In consultation with their students and the appropriate chair and dean, faculty may opt to hold private lessons and lab classes remotely that require unmasking.

Masks will continue to be optional outdoors during this phase, per state and local guidance.

Special Guidance for Singers and Wind Instrument Players

Singers

Singers are required to wear a specially designed mask for singing.

Here are examples of singer's masks:

The Resonance Singer's Mask comes in two sizes (medium and large), and is washable. The design features adjustable head straps and internal construction that holds the fabric away from the mouth so that inhaling is more comfortable and jaw movement does not disrupt mask placement. The sizing of this mask runs large.
The Singer's Mask is similar to the first but has a larger spacing away from the mouth, creating more of a duckbill. This mask has ear straps and comes in child and adult sizes.

Wind Instrumentalists

All wind and brass players are expected to purchase and wear specially designed masks for playing, and, where applicable, also use bell covers.

Specialized Mask Resources:

National Educational Music Company's specialized masks and bell covers
DIY directions for making your own specialized mask

Bell Cover Resources:

In addition, students must practice water key etiquette:

Drape the water valve and collect condensate in a towel or WindSorb.
Disinfect towel/WindSorb after use.
Empty spit valves into a puppy pad, WindSorb, or cloth that is disposed of by the user.

Campus Facilities

Protective barriers, HEPA filters, and sanitation stations are in place. We encourage you to clean the spaces you use.

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