Residents living near the Alberta High School of Fine Arts get to hear some sweet sounds coming from the school now and then.
That’s because heading outdoors is one of the ways choir students get to sing while following COVID-19 protocols.
“We have been able to take them outside where we are able to stand three or four metres apart so we don’t need to mask up,” said choir instructor Matt Ellis. “But if it does get cold, we will go inside, where we do have to mask up.”
Different, but it is a whole lot better than not being able to sing at all — which was a concern prior to the first day of school.
“I think it was running through my head all summer that ‘would our program able to exist come Sept. 1?’” Ellis said. “Fortunately right from the start we have been able to continue with the program.”
However, there are not quite as many choral classes at the fine arts school, which is part of Foothills Composite High School, as in previous years. COVID-19 has meant some classes have been cut — a bit like a recording artist putting out an EP rather than an LP.
The Vocal Ensemble Choir has been chopped for 2020-21 due in part to COVID, as students at the fine arts school are cohorting amongst their respective grades.
“It’s mostly due to class size numbers,” Ellis said. “It is such a small group, so the Grade 10, 11 and 12s when they are cohorted by grades there would be only a couple of students in each one.
“And because it is a full-year course we can’t fit that into our quarterly-system.”
But the students can still sing – which is music to Grade 12 student Dallas Relitz’s ears.
“We weren’t really sure what was happening until a couple of days right before school,” said Relitz, who has taken Choir in both Grade 10 and 11. “I am a little bit disappointed, but I am happy we still get the sing.”
“I know some of the other fine arts options were cut.”
She said the students must use masks while singing unless they are six-feet apart.
This year, she misses the teamwork and camaraderie of being with members from other grades.
“Normally there would be 20 or 30 kids. It created a family when we were all together,” Relitz said. “It seems a little bit separated. I know the other grades were looking forward to being with a choir with us to, but they never had the chance.”
With the Comp and the fine arts school on the quarterly system it is resulting in two-hour classes. So far, Ellis has been able to split the two hours into singing outside and then some theory in the classroom.
“I have increased the emphasis on music theory and music history,” Ellis said. “Students who are looking to continue in performing arts as they go on to university are finding this really helpful.
“And I think for the Choir 10 and 20 students the focus on theory and history will help strengthen the choir if we come together as a full Grade 10,11 and 12 choir, hopefully next year.”
And the added classroom work may help the students compose themselves.
“The students are being asked to use the theory they are learning and compose their own piece of music,” Ellis said. “This year, I am having the students compose their own piece and then they are conducting the other students in the class as they perform the piece.”’
However, eventually Mother Nature will force the students to come indoors to sing as well.
“We are able to social distance enough that we will be able to sing,” Ellis said. “It is a good nice space for the numbers we have.”
However, regulations are the students may only sing for 30 minutes and then they leave the room to allow air to circulate. They can then return to sing.
The restrictions are obstacles, but it allows students to pursue their fine arts dreams.
“Ever since I came here (the Alberta High School of Fine Arts) and started doing the musical theatre and the choir and stuff, that is when I decided that want I want to do with my life,” Relitz said.
