COVID-19 has created drastic changes in people’s everyday lives, resulting in many people being more cautious with social distancing and using virtual platforms to connect with others. Although this has caused many inconveniences and hardships with adjusting, people have learned to adapt to this new life. For example, Valencia High School’s choral program has decided that the show must go on, despite school learning being done online.
Normally at VHS, Valencia High School, choir students would learn and rehearse songs together, and hold school concerts to showcase their talents and hard work through performing. However, due to the drastic shift in environment, students now have to do everything online. One student stated, “It’s really hard not to be able to be with others and physically sing together anymore, but I’m really grateful that we can still learn and practice new choir pieces, even during this time.” The choir program has taken advantage of online resources including Soundtrap, a site where singers can record themselves singing and have their vocal parts edited with other people’s voices. This site has been a huge help in allowing for choir pieces to be edited together as a whole.
Other online apps, such as the widely used Zoom, have also been extremely beneficial in allowing people to communicate safely. Through Zoom, the choral director has been able to lead students in vocal warm ups and still teach the individual song parts as well as music theory. Zoom meetings have also been used for mini performances. For example, every Wednesday, the VHS choir features a soloist from the class that will perform a short song through the online video app..
Recently, the VHS choir planned to hold their first live concert for the school year. The district has approved the hosting of a drive-in movie concert where families can listen to the pieces students have prepared utilizing Soundtrap and Zoom, from the safety of their cars. To maintain safe social distancing, it has been made mandatory that people do not leave their cars at any time throughout the hour long show. The choir director and all students have been working very diligently to make sure everything goes smoothly. Despite the fact that things are running very differently this year, it’s wonderful that performances can still be made possible.
COVID-19 has definitely flipped the world upside down, but that shouldn’t stop us from continuing to work together and make the most out of our time. It’s amazing how different programs and organizations have discovered ways to continue their activities safely through quarantine. Looking at the bright side is important to keep everyone going.
