Staff continue to monitor local and national guidelines regarding COVID-19 and/or any other infectious diseases and reserve the right to update these guidelines at any time. We will do our best to communicate any changes to these policies as soon as possible.

Health & Safety Policy

Songbook Academy Students, Guest Faculty and Staff

Updated as of 4/13/2023

The Great American Songbook Foundation resumed normal in-person operations for Songbook Academy 2022 with a 0% rate of illness from COVID-19 within the student and faculty body who attended the program. In planning for the 2023 program, restrictions have lessened significantly, but staff continue to closely monitor the national COVID-19 situation and will follow all local and federal health and safety guidelines in planning a program format that will prioritize the health and safety of all members of the Songbook community.

To keep our students, mentors, and staff safe, all participants in this summer’s program are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Key considerations for this decision:

• The risk of exposure through travel to Indiana for 80% or more of guest faculty and students;
• Students and faculty working in close-contact settings with a focus on singing activities (widely considered a higher-risk activity due to the aggressive expelling of respiratory droplets) for extended periods of time;
• A fully vaccinated student body and faculty will help secure overall health and safety for all program participants and limit the risk of disruption of classes, performances, and student housing given close contact throughout Songbook week.

Vaccination Requirement:

Community members are considered fully vaccinated by the CDC two weeks after completing the final dose in the primary series of a COVID-19 vaccine regimen. Acceptable vaccines include any approved by the WHO or U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including Pfizer (for all students) and Moderna or Johnson & Johnson (for those 18 and over).

Please note: COVID-19 boosters are not required but are strongly encouraged to be fully up to date as defined by the CDC and to best protect the 2023 Songbook community. 

All participants must ensure they have completed their vaccine regimen at least two weeks prior to their arrival on campus (by July 1, 2023), or have an approved exemption from Songbook Academy staff.

If a student submits a written request for reasonable accommodations and is approved, they will be required to follow additional testing and/or masking protocol while attending the program. If you have questions about receiving a COVID-19 vaccine or exemption, please reach out to SongbookAcademy@TheSongbook.org

Proof of Vaccination:

By April 19, 2023, students will be required to either submit proof of vaccination through their Acceptd portal upon accepting their position in the 2023 program OR sign an acceptance form confirming their intention to become fully vaccinated by July 1, 2023 (2 weeks prior to check-in day).

Students who do not show proof of vaccination during the initial acceptance phase will be prompted to submit vaccination by July 1^st through a separate secure portal provided by a staff member. If a student does not provide proof of vaccination by the July 1 deadline, they will not be permitted to participate in the 2023 program.

Please note: The program fee to attend the 2023 Songbook Academy is due prior to July 1, 2023. No refunds will be offered to students who confirm their intention to become fully vaccinated as of April 19 but fail to show proof of vaccination by July 1, 2023.

Other protocol:

Program staff will assess data provided by the CDC COVID-19 Community Levels Tracker and any updated guidelines to outline any additional protocol or preventative actions for students and faculty. At this time, masking and testing will not be required (unless a student or faculty member develops symptoms).

Please note: while masks will not be required at this time, participants are encouraged to set their own safety protocols based on personal preference and level of comfort. 

Procedure for symptoms and/or positive test:

If a participant becomes symptomatic, they will be required to:
 

• Immediately notify a chaperone or staff member.  
• Schedule a COVID test immediately with the assistance of a chaperone or staff member.
• Wear a mask at all times and isolate (as advised) on a case-by-case basis.
   

If the individual tests positive for COVID-19: A participant’s parent/guardian will be notified immediately upon the positive test, and arrangements must be made to pick-up the student by a parent or approved family-contact as soon as possible depending on proximity:
 

• Local/regional students must be picked up from campus within 12 hours of notification.
• Program staff will work with national families on a case-by-case basis to arrange pick-up.

Please note: Any medical, travel and/or accommodations costs associated with an early departure will be the responsibility of the individual student and their parent/guardian.

Refund Policy:

Cancellation due to a verified COVID-19 illness or proof of primary contact within 5 days prior to the start of Songbook Academy will be reviewed for refund with written request and documentation.

Written requests for pro-rated refunds will also be reviewed should a student test positive during Songbook Academy week and be required to leave the program.

Contact Us:

If you have any questions or concerns, please direct all inquiries to:

Renée La Schiazza

Director of Programs

rlaschiazza@TheSongbook.org

(317) 844-5832

You may also contact our staff at SongbookAcademy@TheSongbook.org.