The School of Music at the North-West University (NWU) started with face-to-face classes very early in the pandemic due to the personal nature of its curriculum. This year they decided to face the challenges they encountered as a result of the pandemic head on.

To ensure that they adhere to protocols and keep staff and students safe, the team from the School of Music, led by director Dr Yvonne-Marie Brand, tapped into their creativity and DIY skills, when they designed and built their own barrier screens.

According to Dr Brand, the initial plan was to purchase barrier screens, but there was a problem. At the time, manufacturers were experiencing a steel shortage and the steel needed to build the screen frames was very expensive.

She then started by designing two prototypes consisting of PVC pipes and clear plastic.

“The size and sturdiness of the screen were our main priorities. From the design it was apparent that the one prototype would be less sturdy, but as it required less material, it was cheaper. The solution was to use a thicker PVC pipe, which still worked out cheaper than the sturdier prototype,” Dr Brand explains.

These screens, which are now being used for practical lessons, classes and performances, are easy to use.

“The lecturer or accompanist puts the screen between them and the student or performer, which then acts as a barrier. This is especially useful as many instrumental and vocal performances can't be performed with a mask,” says Dr Brand. “The screens are also easy to clean and sanitize after each lesson.”

She mentions that it was quite an adjustment at first, but once all the protocols and safety measures were put in place, it became easier to use.

“It is definitely more effective than trying to teach a practical class online, and with more students returning to campus since the country moved to alert level 1, these barrier screens are definitely coming in handy.”

Dr Brand says this would not have been possible without the involvement of Rineke Viljoen, Anja Viljoen, André Oosthuizen, Christelle Engelbrecht, Peter Mokgethi and Jané Muller.

“They did everything – from ordering material, spray painting all the pipes, sewing the clear plastic onto the frames, assembling the frames and placing all the barriers in the different studios and venues in the School of Music and Conservatory. Thank you – you are a stellar team.”

The screens as well as the construction thereof.