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The North Star, Volume 35, Issue 1
Pandemic and Performance
An update on performing arts classes and their response to the coronavirus pandemic
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By Maddie Austin
Virtual concerts, Zoom rehearsals and sheet music on PDFs are becoming the new normal for performing arts students. As many schools continue making the switch to online learning across the United States, interactive and dynamic classes like the performing arts have also temporarily adapted their approach. In Times Square, the sound of music burst through the arena as orchestra students played the piece they had earlier planned for Carnegie Hall. Across the country in Arizona, Chino Hills High singers received over 1.3 million views on YouTube from their virtual performance of “Over the Rainbow,” according to the LA Times. Like other high schools throughout the nation, BVN’s performing arts department is attempting to navigate learning with the absence of students in classrooms.
Musical classes at BVN like choir, band and orchestra conduct daily rehearsals online. Students still have the opportunity to practice their instrument and learn new music with their classmates. Junior Gabby Fulford has participated in choir since kindergarten and is now a member of BVN’s Chorale. Although disappointed to be singing in her house rather than the choir room, Fulford said she remains optimistic.
“It’s a difficult situation, just because our entire curriculum is based on singing together and perfecting technique,” Fulford said. “It’s pretty hard to put that task on teachers. I think Mr. Sickle is handling it super well with keeping choir as normal as possible.”
Chorale member senior Garret Brax said he misses the dynamic atmosphere of the choir room the most, explaining how choir teacher Jason Sickel incorporates interactive activities within the classroom. However, among the many traditions within the choir department, Brax said he is most disappointed about performances.
“Concerts, Chamber’s Cabaret, and Mustang Showtime are all amazing events that have been done for years and years,” Brax said. “I really hope we find a way to continue on even through a virtual setting.”
Performances are uncertain for the band program as well. Junior Keaton Lewis has performed in marching band for three years, playing the baritone. Lewis said he still looks forward to the upcoming year, even though the band is still figuring out the safest ways to conduct rehearsals and perform.
“We are still working through performing in person,” Lewis said. “I think we’ll have to see how marching rehearsals will work on a football field long term and what’s safe.”
For daily classes, the entire teaching approach had to be restructured, requiring months of work prior to the start of online learning, according to band teacher Daniel Freeman. The main focus of the online classes is to allow students to continue playing their instruments, so the ensemble will be prepared to practice pieces inperson. However, Freeman said that in-person classes will bring a new set of obstacles.
“Our biggest challenge is not only restructuring to teach band online, but also to be prepared for when a return to in-person happens, whether it is hybrid or completely in person,” Freeman said. “As an activity that creates aerosols, we have many precautions and mitigation strategies to put in place. Fortunately, following those strategies, we will be able to make music safely in the COVID era.”
According to the mitigation strategies, each musician is required to wear playing masks and utilize mutes to cover the bells of instruments, which limits the amount of bacteria exiting them. After rehearsing for 30 minutes, the band will switch rehearsal locations. Staff members have learned the “Air Change Per Hour” (ACH) for each rehearsal space. The rates in rooms like the PAC are relatively good: 10 minutes for 3 full air rotations. In addition, hand sanitizer will be used often to sterilize the instruments.
Due to event cancellations, performing arts students are having difficulties with solo performance opportunities, as well as scholarships. Senior Yujin Hahn, a violinist in the Symphonic orchestra, said she does not mind online rehearsals. She said she still feels as though she is getting to know the underclassmen of the ensemble. However, the aspect of potentially not having a senior solo, according to Hahn, is a letdown.
“I miss having concerts and connecting and playing with the people next to me,” Hahn said. “In addition, I was supposed to have a senior solo this year, but with COVID, I don’t think it will be possible for that to happen, which was disappointing.”
Several students are also trying to obtain scholarships, including some within the theater program with a goal of pursuing a career in theater. Senior Dylan Long has friends in her Advanced Repertory Theater class hoping to continue acting in college.
“I have three seniors in my class who are all trying to pursue theater as a profession. College scouting for them has been really different than it has been in previous years,” Long said. “They’ve been doing auditions online and virtual Zoom calls with college scouts. So it’s looked really different for them, but they’re finding ways around it.” Finding ways to perform plays live comes with mandatory safety precautions for the stage, requirements already issued by the Blue Valley District. Senior Casey Whitworth explains adjustments for theatrical performances.
“We would all be staggered,” Whitworth said. “We wouldn’t have everyone in the cast and crew there every single day; more like a small portion of the cast. There’d be a lot more cleaning involved, especially when it comes to microphones and costumes.”
Overall, across the entire performing arts department, students are learning that maintaining a positive attitude throughout online learning is necessary for being engaged each day. According to Long, many students find that going through these challenges together is much easier than managing them alone.
“I think this gives us a greatopportunity to kind of come together and figure out ways to overcome the obstacles that are in place, ahead of us,” Long said. “I wish it could be different. I think everybody does. But this is what we got, so we have to learn to work with it. It’s not too bad right now. We’ll figure it out.”
Senior Emersen Mackenzie participates in vocal warm-ups during the class choir Zoom session. “I think it is amazing that we can still come together to create something beautiful, even in stressful times,” Mackenzie said.
