The months the music died
COVID-19 cuts into ability to raise voices, instruments
“I miss making music with all my heart," said Heather Fraser.
The Bedford woman is the artistic director of the Annapolis Valley Honour Choir and the Aeolian Singers in Halifax, as well as the vice- president of Advocacy for Choral Canada.
She's been surprised at how deeply she's felt this loss of music.
According to Dr. Christianne Rushton, director of the school of music at Acadia University in Wolfville, there are currently no COVID-19 safety protocols in Nova Scotia specifically related to making music.
“While there are general guidelines and helpful information, we do not yet know enough about the way aerosol transmission carries the virus to make completely informed choices regarding making music,” said Rushton. “It is such a new virus that for every study that gives helpful information, there is another study that offers different guidelines.”
The lack of information has caused music organizations and programs to err on the side of caution.
The biggest loss pertains to the in-person opportunity to make music together, said Rushton.
“Music is an inherently social undertaking, and we build communities by making music together. Not having the opportunity to breathe together and play or sing together is a great loss,” she said.
One thing is true, said Rushton: musicians are inherently creative.
“This is our opportunity to provide connection in a very disconnected world,” she said.
MAKING ADAPTATIONS
Organizers have quickly been adapting programs so music still happens in an alternative form.
For Acadia's school of music, this means offering most of its courses — from one- on- one lessons to large ensemble practices — online. Small group work will be assessed in person as needed.
Betty Lahey teaches Music for Young Children to youth aged three to nine in Torbay, N. L.
Lahey wanted to continue offering classes and not wait until regulations lift because she believes the more things parents and educators can do to help keep the lives of children as normal as possible during COVID-19, the better.
Music can bring so much joy, said Lahey.
Lahey says her classroom looks much different now since COVID-19. The carpet had to be removed as it was impossible to disinfect. The keyboards are now spaced six feet apart and bright orange tape is attached to the floor around each one in a six- by seven- foot square for the child and parent's space. Yoga mats have been added for seating.
“I have decided to wait to offer classes to my six months to two years of age students, as I haven't found a way to keep them socially distant,” said Lahey. “I would imagine it would be very stressful on the parents.”
Fraser said that not for a moment did they consider shutting down the Annapolis Valley Honour Choir for the year — it's just happening differently.
“We can't let this stop us from singing, from learning, and from being a community,” she said.
The honour choir has moved to offering weekly online rehearsals and other activities. The older choirs also receive small group vocal coaching with voice teachers, she said, including customized music theory and sight singing instruction. The new online programs allow them to receive individual attention and progress at their own pace.
Senior students will also participate in online workshops with choirs across Canada and beyond as well as on topics such as song writing, composing and music technology, said Fraser.
“The time together, in person or online, is so valued and important for our kids,” Fraser said. “It is a positive, supportive place that not only provides amazing musical education, and the kids themselves have told us about how choir affects their sense of self, their stability, their mental health, and what they learn about music and the world around them.”
Although they have just begun, Fraser said the response from the students has already been great.
“We've given them what they asked for; we catered our program to what they wanted to learn,” she said.
“We are always mindful of keeping an element of fun in every rehearsal, as we want to be as engaging over the screen as possible. We run team building and fun activities each week, as well as the occasional dance break.”
Eventually, Fraser said the Annapolis Valley Honour Choir will be gathering in person again, hopefully by January. They will be turning their virtual program into a hybrid program of both in-person and online components.
One way in-person music sessions may be possible is through the use of singing masks, something that Fraser's women's choir in Halifax is using now. These are masks that have a wire, so they stay away from the wearer's face. They have a chin covering for better coverage and so you can open your mouth and breathe well, protecting you and others while singing.
GROUPS IN LIMBO
Second Chances Band in Charlottetown, P.E.I. is one group that's anxious to be back playing together again.
The band stopped rehearsing at the start of COVID19, and since they rehearse at the Queen Charlotte Intermediate School, they are still waiting for word if they can resume practices, said co-director Allie McCrady. Schools are currently closed for use by outside groups.
“We rely on the school for both rehearsal space and percussion equipment, without which we could not function within our present financial model,” said McCrady.
If the group is allowed back, McCrady said they will not meet as a full band as they would not be able to socially distance in that space.
“As our group spans such a wide age range, with most of our membership being 50 years or older, we have to be extra cautious to ensure that all of our members are safe,” she said.
If COVID has taught music teachers anything, said Fraser, it's gratitude.
“We'll never take this opportunity to make music together for granted again,” said Fraser.
“It's been a huge challenge to think positively, to rally the students, the parents the singers — putting forth a really energetic, hopeful presence for them, when your heart is breaking inside, knowing it's not quite the same.”
Fraser is choosing to look at this as only an intermission.
“We are getting closer to getting back to each other every day.”