Performing arts courses at LBCC adapt to remote learning environments by taking advantage of available online platforms.
“For partner work we utilize the breakout rooms,” said Gregory Mortenson, an LBCC theater arts professor, “we also talk out the scene in Zoom and then with a partner we use the breakout room, or partners can try FaceTime as an alternative.”
For choir courses Andrea Calderwood and Skye Angulo, both LBCC choir professors, explain that there is more work that goes into prepping the course than the actual performances.
“There is a lot of preparation that goes ahead of time,” said Calderwood. “The piano, bass, and drums have to be recorded ahead of time and that usually takes a couple of days to do.”
In addition to the preparation work, before being able to do the actual singing, professors have been utilizing Zoom’s setting feature for music performances to listen to the music together and other online platforms, like Soundtrap, for the actual singing.
This Zoom feature disables Zoom’s noise suppression, automatically adjusts the microphone volume, enables original sound, and provides a high fidelity music mode.
This makes it easier for music professors and students to be able to listen to the original audio of a song.
The use of Soundtrap has given students the ability to sing together without actually being together.
In pre-pandemic times, a music course would be able to perform with choir courses and other performing arts courses.
Although it is not possible for performing arts classes to work together in person now, many of the courses come together to create virtual projects.
Skye Angulo, director of choral/vocal studies at LBCC, said, “We have been talking about collaborating and getting students to submit some artwork so that we can showcase on our YouTube channel. We will also be singing with the orchestra for our last project piece this semester.”
The performing arts program has their own YouTube channel in which they release their projects throughout the semester for the community to see.
Although performing arts courses have had to adapt to an online learning environment, professors are hopeful that with the vaccine rollout there is a possibility for performing arts students to be able to come together and practice in person once again.