Music departments having indoor and virtual concerts

Despite the music departments facing issues relating to COVID-19, they all decided that the show must go on and perform. However, their concerts were not formal like years prior. This year the music departments finally come back to normalcy.

Strumming+for+perfection...Practicing+for+the+first+jazz+band+concert+of+2021-2022%2C+held+on+November+16%2C+junior+Nathanael+Brown+plays+his+electric+bass.+The+school+plans+to+continue+indoor+concerts+in+the+spring.

Strumming for perfection…Practicing for the first jazz band concert of 2021-2022, held on November 16, junior Nathanael Brown plays his electric bass. The school plans to continue indoor concerts in the spring.

Returning to the stage, the band and orchestra departments will be performing indoors this year after a year and a half of an absence stage presence.

Due to COVID-19 the music department performed their spring concert outside on May 18 to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Concert and symphonic bands held their virtual concert on December 15. Jazz and lab jazz had theirs on the 21. After a time away from the familiar lights this year jazz band performed a concert on November 16, and a symphonic performance on December 3.

The band did various concerts like outdoor and virtual concerts because of the continuing cases of COVID-19, they took extra precaution and consideration into the safety of the audience.

The department managed their issue by finding alternative ways to perform. In the winter they hosted a virtual concert, allowing the band to be able to perform in the midst of the pandemic. 

Unlike other years they had to organize a safe environment for both students and the director.

”We took the curved rows and strained them out,” senior Kate Taipale said. Putting the chairs in a “grid” formation, the spread of shared air and germs.

Although they created a safe environment, they faced an issue with sound projection. Instead of having the typical upside down “U” formation, they all faced forward, this created a one way projection. 

“It made it way more difficult for [us] to be able to hear each other,” Taipale said. 

Although the bands got to have a concert, they were restricted from having an audience for safety purposes. According to Taipale, this method “loses a lot of what a concert is.” “I liked [it] a lot better than facing a camera” said Senior Andrew Febus 

 According to band director Adam Tucker, “The logistics of planning that was just a lot of work,” referring to the challenges they faced outdoors, like hauling equipment to the stadium. 

The band had to take into consideration the amount of equipment that needed to be safely brought down to the stadium.

“Ace hardware actually donated a box truck for the day for us to move things back and forth,” Tucker said. Due to the concert being held outside, there was more leniency. 

Taipale and Tucker both noticed that some kids would still wear their protective equipment when outside when it wasn’t required. Indoors they had to wear the equipment because they are in a close proximity. 

Taipale agreed that there was positive feedback when it came to the outdoor concerts.

 “It was nice to at least have a concert,” Taipale said.

After the jazz band performed many of the students felt very happy that the concert was finally back to normal. 

According to sophomore Hannah Rod, “Honestly I just love being on stage. It’s just more fun.”