Band director teaches positivity
School will be back in s ession soon in Union County, and each districts’ guidelines highlight the changes in curriculum and day-to-day activities with substantial detail, emphasizing the measures that will be taken for the safety of students and staff.
But much remains unpredictable and will depend on the ability of teachers and administrators to maintain student morale - and their own.
Smackover High School Band Director Tracy Walker has made it his goal to do just that.
“My goal is definitely to just make sure the kids are safe and to keep educating them through the gift of music,” he said.
Walker said the Buckaroo Band is continuously adapting to the ever-changing situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The guidelines originally had requirements that would have forced the band to rehearse outside due to spacing requirements.
Recent changes have allowed the band to rehearse inside, though handling and playing instruments still creates unique challenges during a pandemic.
Inside rehearsal, for instance, requires the wellknown six feet social distancing rule. In the band room, however, trombone players have to be spaced nine feet away from others.
Horns will also need to be adorned with bell covers, and a school staff member is currently busy knitting those for the band.
Possibly the biggest unknown currently, even as the band rehearses, is the status of performances.
“At this point we’re at a standstill, trying to see what will be allowed [with] football games… I’m not sure if we’ll be allowed to travel, but hopefully we will be able to play at home games. A lot of our fall competitions have been canceled as of right now, so right now our performances will be football games. Hopefully this all clears up before Christmas so we can do the Christmas parade and concert,” Walker said.
With so many essentially unanswerable questions, Walker is working hard to keep his students positive by using the pandemic as a moment for education.
“One thing we have to do is keep the kids positive. Kids get bored, especially without something to work towards. So, our goal is to still perform,” Walker said.
Walker said he told his students that even if something drastic happens with home football games, he will organize concerts for students to perform for their (socially-distanced) parents.
“I think if we remain positive the students will. They are a little frustrated but I told them, ‘that’s life. We always have to get used to change and make decisions. There will always be change,’” Walker said.
A pep talk to staff from Smackover-Norphlet superintendent Jason Black has helped to maintain a positive environment, Walker said.
“[Teachers and staff] seem excited to come and hopefully stay in school, because as you know we’ve been out since March. Over here at Smackover we’re working as a team. In our workshop, our superintendent and principal told us we’ll have to work as a team to get through this. Even
if we have to go virtual we’ll be prepared. Our whole primary concern is keeping students safe,” Walker said.
Walker is focusing particularly on showing his students how to emerge from difficult times stronger and more resilient.
“I’m teaching my students you always have to adapt to changes and try to look at it in a positive way. It may look dark today but the sun will shine again, and they’ve all made it through tough times before,” Walker said.