Music students excited to get back to in-person practices, performances In-person classes aren't the only sign of a return to normal at schools around New Mexico. The arts are also getting started. Share Updated: 11:20 PM MST Mar 9, 2021 Music students excited to get back to in-person practices, performances In-person classes aren't the only sign of a return to normal at schools around New Mexico. The arts are also getting started. Share Updated: 11:20 PM MST Mar 9, 2021 Hide Transcript Show Transcript STUDENTS AND PARENTS. SHELLY A LOT OF TALK ABOUT CLASSROOMS AND ATHLETICS, BUT WE CAN’T FORGET ABOUT ART EDUCATION. FOR THE LAST 23 YEARS OR SO, I’VE BEEN PUTTING MUSIC PROGRAMS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL BAND PROGRAMS ESPECIALLY. SHELLYE: IN ADDITION TO SCHOOLS, PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SECRETARY RYAN STEWART ANNOUNCED MONDAY ALL NMAASANCTIONED ACTIVITIES CAN BEGIN, MEANING BAND AND CHOIR. >> PLAYING IN THE SAME ROOM IN B GROUPS, PLAYING ALL AT ONCE IN THE SAME AREA. SHELLYE: PARENTS AND STATE EDUCATORS SAY MUSIC EDUCATION IS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF A WELL-ROUNDED EDUCATION. IT ALMOST SEEMS LIKE THE ARTS , MUSIC, OR CHO KIND OF GOT PUSHED TO THE SIDELINES. SHELLYE: BUT SOME ARE CONCERNED CERTAIN COMPONENTS OF THOSE ACTIVITIES LIKE SINGING AND PLAYING WIND INSTRUMENTS COULD PRESENT A HIGHER PROBABILITY OF COVID-19 TRANSMISSION. I THINK IT IS REASONABL THAT WE SHOULD STILL WEAR A MASK, DO SOCIAL DISTANCING AS MUCH AS WE CAN JUST TO BE SAFE. SHELLYE: INSTRUCTORS AND STUDENTS WILL HAVE TO COMPLY WITH CERTAIN GUIDELINES TO MAKE THINGS WOR NO SHARING INSTRUMENTS, USING MULTI-LAYERED CLOTH MASKS FOR SINGING OR PLAYING A WIN INSTRUMENT, AND SOCI DISTANCING, AT LEAST NINE FEET WHILE PLAYING OR SINGING, AND SIX FEET AT ALL OTHER TIMES. BAND IS NOT EVEN A CONTACT SPORT. IF THEY ARE MARCHING, THEY ARE USUALLY THREE OR FOUR FEET APART ANYWAY. SHELLYE: FOR THESE HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL MUSICIANS ARE JUST HAPPY THEY GET TO DO WHAT THEY LOVE. >> I MISS PLAYING WITHOUT A SCREEN BREAKING US APART. I FINALLY GET TO BE ABLE TO SEE MY FRIENDS AGAIN IN PERSON AND GO TO SCHOOL AND BE ABLE TO PLAY IN BAND. PLAYING IN BAND IS REALLY, REALLY FUN AND I