Many musicians and musical groups have been affected by the coronavirus, including the music program at Park Forest.
In choir and music class, you project your voice in song. In a band, you blow through instruments and could put others at risk by producing air in high quantities.
“Teaching band has become more challenging on account of the PPE [personal protection equipment] that is required, and the social distancing requirements,” Erik McDonough, PFMS band teacher, said.
To prevent the spread of the virus, students are required to wear PPE. Band students use flute shields, bell covers, and masks with holes in them (to blow into the instrument through the mask). Students also have to sit in chairs three feet apart.
Referring to the masking required for playing instruments, sixth grade flutist Fiona Knowles said, “I don’t like how not everyone has a proper mask on.” But she added that other measures have been appreciated. “I like that people are mostly socially distanced,” Knowles said.
The pandemic also affects orchestra, but very differently than band. While band students have to wear special PPE for their instruments, orchestra students can still wear standard masks because they don’t need to blow into instruments. However, wearing masks still introduces challenges. “The teaching methods for orchestra seem to have changed a bit from the pandemic - it is more difficult to hear and see with a mask on, so the teacher has had to adapt and teach differently,” Josephine Schiff, 6th grade cellist, said.
Masking also makes it difficult for choir teachers. Sixth grade choir and music teacher Mrs. Morris said, “It's difficult to know if you are making the vowel sound correctly when you cannot see what to do. It's harder to hear what is being sung and how because masks are impairing the sound.”
Drama has changed a lot too. Drama and orchestra teacher Mr. Shaffer said that he is breaking the ensemble into smaller groups than before the pandemic. “Each one will have a minimum of three scenes and two songs but they won't rehearse together and won't really be together until the end. Not only that, but they are also going outside more and distancing themselves more too.”
Knowles thought that band numbers had decreased since she last attended school in person, during 4th grade in 2019. “I expected a lot more kids in the 6th grade band, and some of my friends expected more too.”
Mrs. Morris noticed a decline in numbers the previous year. “Last year there was a large decline in students signing up for choir due to the uncertainty of how they might be affected being in an area of other students singing.” But even though students weren’t ready to participate in singing at the beginning of the pandemic, things changed this school year. “This year many more students have signed up for choir so singing in a group is not extinct and still has merit,” Mrs. Morris said.
Mr. Shaffer agreed with seeing an increase in participation. “This year we had an enormous turnout. We're casting over 100 students in the musical from between the two schools!” Mr. Shaffer said. “Band and choir are, in fact, very safe, when they follow our health and safety protocols.”
Mrs. Morris did some research and found that choir and singing isn’t as much of a danger as we thought. “Research indicates that singing is no more of a risk than talking loudly with your mask on or speaking with force,” Mrs. Morris said.
Like in band, some students decide to take extra precautions. “Some students prefer to still stick with the disposable masks and some even put two on,” Mrs. Morris explained.
Mrs. McAninch, 7th grade music and choir teacher, agrees that singing is not a major risk during Covid. Not only that, she says that singing is good for you! “Students should be excited about singing. It is a beautiful part of each person that is unique and glorious,” Mrs. McAninch said. “When you sing you use your entire body, your entire brain, and your big, beautiful heart.”
And she’s right! Research shows that singing in a choir or reading music in a band or orchestra can help prevent alzheimer’s disease and other kinds of dementia. Teachers are working creatively to keep music classes safe and fun. “We found these cool clear masks that show people's mouths and lips that we'll use for the show if we still need to,” Mr. Shaffer said.
Mrs. Morris said that teachers are staying positive in the music department. “Music connects us, helps us feel, and keeps us motivated. We need music and music needs us,” she said. “If we must live with a pandemic we will continue to sing even though we have masks and distance. We will continue to share our appreciation of this beautiful art form even in smaller numbers and silenced voices. One day we will be able to sing out without fear or worry.”
Music in school is not only safe, but good for you! “It's so nice to hear people singing again,” Mr. Shaffer said.
Mrs. Morris agrees that we need to keep choral singing alive and that people should join choir today if they like to sing. She believes the future looks bright. “We look forward to mask free days and full out singing,” she said.