On August 1, around 30 musicians from the Los Angeles Philharmonic returned to the outdoor stage of the Hollywood Bowl for the first time since the pandemic’s shutdowns, to rehearse for the capture of product to be released under the new COVID-19 side letter to the IMA. Even though the Hollywood Bowl remains closed, the services were able to take place under the Reopening Protocol for Music, Television and Film Production Agreement: Appendix J issued by the Los Angeles County Public Health Department. The string players were masked and sitting at least six feet apart, while the wind players were 12 feet apart and surrounded by plexiglass. Under these rather unusual conditions, the orchestra performed a program that included Beethoven Symphony #7, with Gustavo Dudamel conducting. The challenges of playing “together” while physically distanced were formidable, reported violinist Camille Avellano, “especially in passages where we are accustomed to reacting to what we hear, such as in the symphony’s Scherzo movement. The size of the stage at the Bowl is ideal for social distancing, but also creates a considerable acoustic time lag, which is difficult to ignore. However, the sheer joy of making music as an orchestra far outweighs these concerns; we are enjoying being with our colleagues and experiencing a modicum of normality in these dystopian times.”