COVID’s effect on music

When the COVID-19 pandemic essentially shut down high school music programs across the country, these safe spaces were devastated, leaving in their wake a slew of students without the network that was crucial for their mental health.

“You cannot be a music ensemble unless you are together and online, you ain’t together, no matter how you spin it, there was no way that this is gonna work,” Jones said. “You can’t make music together. You can’t be social together. No matter if you see that person on the screen, it is not the same at all.”

Daboda was ready to drop choir after a difficult COVID-19 year, but after being approached by Dunn she decided to give it another try.

“I was not going to try out for choir because of how COVID-19 year went,” Daboda said. “Dr. Dunn came to me last minute and asked again and I ended up saying yes. I am so grateful I did say yes because I would have missed out on so much. I just want to say that teachers do care and want you here.”

For Daboda, staying in music class was a smart last-second decision, but others didn’t take the same path.

Massive numbers of students flocked away from music classes, either avoiding engagement or dropping the classes altogether. Online music learning could not offer the same level of engagement and opportunity no matter how hard the teachers tried.