Fine Arts Restrictions

06 Student Thoughts ORCHESTRA

“I don’t necessarily like being filmed playing the violin because the camera really takes away from live performance of [the] orchestra, but I do think it is important to restrict our audience numbers, and if that means restricting the number zero, that’s perfectly fine by me, as long as we keep people safe.” Grace Hansen, 11

CHOIR

FINE ARTS FACE RESTRICTIONS

by David Miller, Staff Writer

Like all the arts, restriction of audience size and mask mandates are hurdles the CMR Drama Department faces. After those, the rest was left up to the discretion of teacher Chris Evans. He buckles down on the mask policy, keeping it strict with masks worn properly. Along with the school-wide slogan “gel in, gel out”, he practices distancing in every class activity with multiple seating charts and measured spaces. Evans is 100% supportive of the restrictions. Evans said, “It would devastate me if someone caught COVID from something I tried to do.”

Some events have been cancelled to stay within the guidelines. The drama classroom isn’t DRAMA large enough to safely hold a class and, this year, the drama department has not had a live production. Many schools around the country have tried to perform shows with masks, but lost their productions last second from COVID and contact tracing. Evans doesn’t want to chance it at all.

“If you guys aren’t safe, we aren’t doing it,” Evans said. Even with the restrictions, Evans strives to keep students engaged in theatre which he believes, “needs to happen,” by providing as many safe and distanced opportunities as possible.

Evans wants the students to know that he is doing everything he can to keep giving opportunities and that he’s looking toward the future.

Below: Drama students practice mirroring exercises. Photo by Marissa McMickle.

BAND

“It’s a bit difficult just having to space out. You can’t hear Above: Alayna Roth plays holiday music on her cello. people as well when you’re Photo by Marissa McMickle. spaced. A mask is a bit The band department Band was wacky to sing through, but has been limited by the fortunate enough to the special singing masks we guidelines, but perseveres under troubling conditions. perform in one concert this year before restrictions have help. If we have to do Many instruments have to were made more severe, that to keep it safe enough use bell covers, and flute players specifically require but their other events have been halted. There is to do choir, I’d rather do that than not do choir at all.” face shields. Players must have their masks on unless playing. In class, significantly less pep band presence, no marching band at all, and the jazz Caden Bicsak, 12 students can only play for 30-45 minutes at a time. band lost all of their extra performances such as In a regular schedule, performing at retirement that would be nothing homes. A big hit to both of a limitation, but with the music and drama the extended periods, it department was the loss of leaves a hefty amount of a musical this year, which time to be filled. all departments focused “It’s getting very hard a good chunk of the year to keep enforcing it,” said on. The guidelines have band teacher Chris Kloker. had secondary effects as “[The] kids are fatigued. well. Limiting the play

I’m fatigued.” time for band students

has caused Kloker to reluctantly select easier music for the kids to play. Kloker believes that these guidelines will negatively impact the program. In fact, he said he is already seeing their effects.

Kloker does as much as he can with the kids in class. When not playing, the students spend time focusing on music theory. He encourages them to practice at home and reassures his students that “this too shall pass.”