Masked Musicians

Despite events and activities being cancelled on campus, the Monmouth Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble and Concert Band are all still rehearsing. Rehearsals look slightly different as one might expect. For sustained indoor rehearsals, the band rehearses for 30 minutes, takes a 20-minute break and plays again for 30 minutes.

Wind Ensemble has been rehearsing outdoors for the most part; “we are using any downtime that we may have for air cycling to do some guided listening, critiquing of rehearsal recordings, and other things that are directly related to our playing,” said Director Dr. Stacy Dziuk. During the group rehearsals, musicians are spaced 6 feet, wearing masks and using bell covers on their instruments.

“Adjusting to playing a Flute with a mask on was a little difficult at first, but it is getting better,” said Bailey Shimmin. Along with some of the new guidelines, most students store their instruments in their room, brass players cannot empty water onto the floor and there is no sharing of equipment or music. “After playing an instrument for many years, playing with a mask creates a new challenge,” said Austin Pfau.

As for any concerts this semester, director Dr. Dziuk hopes to produce some kind of recorded concert that will be uploaded for the community to see. “If the weather stays nice for our October concert, we may have it outdoors,” said Dziuk. “I am disappointed that we may not have a real audience for the concert, but at least we still may be able to do something,” said Carolina Cruz. The pandemic did not affect the numbers in the bands; “Overall, the band numbers are up from last year, which is fantastic,” said Dziuk.

Alison Barrington - Staff Writer