Campus is quiet this year, and one building that seems to be silent is the Lionel Hampton School of Music.
Academics look different this year for band, classes are more spread out due to COVID-19 concerns. Normally they would be rehearsing in large classes, but they are dispersed across campus. When it was warm, students might have noticed the band practicing outside, but now that it’s cold, they play in a variety of rooms.
Complications arise for brass and woodwind players since their instruments involve blowing air. Even though they wear masks while they play, flute players are given an exception according to Gabe Becerra, since they can’t play as effectively with a mask on due to the style of their instrument. During practices, they use plastic panels in-between them as a precaution, and their ensembles are smaller. Sometimes they join class via Zoom but have some mixed reception.
Becerra said while he was still being taught and learning over zoom, he finds it hard to know if he’s doing something right because the instructor can’t come up to him and help him over a Zoom call.
However, not every instrument is impacted by COVID-19 precautions. The percussion section has relatively remained unchanged, Elisa Eastley, a percussionist and a freshman, said since their instruments involve drums, bells, xylophones and other non-wind instruments.
Band people find themselves not being able to rehearse or practice with everyone, due to safety concerns. If they do, screens and fans have to be in place to keep the musicians safe.
Despite them being able to play, there is one thing missing that truly captures the experience of the band—the concerts.
Normally throughout the school year, there are plenty of concerts and recitals that band students perform for people. For freshmen, it allows them to not only show off what they have been working on but also garner audience feedback. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has put an end to live concerts and in-person audiences.
“It’s a lot of self-practice, and then you don’t get to take what you’ve practiced and share it with people,” Alexis Gist, tenor sax player and freshman, said.
Freshmen like Becerra were disappointed that the marching band wouldn’t be playing in front of audiences at games this year. Now they aren’t able to show off their hard work in front of live audiences.
“It’s really fun to be able to show a lot of people what you’re working on and really (show) them what you have to offer, just for the arts community as a whole,” Eastley explained.
Instead of playing in front of live audiences, they perform over Facebook live or Zoom. Their concerts are recorded then posted for all to see. While they still are sharing their work with the people, according to Gist, many people in the band still miss live concerts.
“It’s honestly kind of sad because with music you’re supposed to be sharing with people,” Gist said. “You feed off of their emotions and create the story for their entertainment. And it’s very hard to feel like you’re actually connecting with people when you’re separated with the camera in front of you.”
Eastley said that it’s eerie performing remotely, such as when she performed a marimba solo in an empty room with only the cameraman and one other person in the room.
They are hopeful that they will be able to have in-person concerts next year with live audiences, so they can finally interact with the people who make their concerts worth performing.
Ryan Hill can be reached at [email protected] or Twitter @RyanHil32959860