By Mary O’KEEFE

“As human beings we do change, grow, adapt and perhaps even learn and become wiser”
~ Wendy Carlos, American composer

This has been a school year for the record books. Adapting has been the key for everyone, but especially for school staff, parents and students. Virtual learning, not seeing friends and still being part of the extracurricular activities have been a challenge.

Students in Crescenta Valley High School Instrumental Music have always been a tight-knit group. It would be difficult not to be close because they often rehearse before, during and after school.

“We really do depend on each other,” said Andrew Kim, president of the CV High School band.

Kim is a senior at the high school and plays the alto-saxophone. This year has not been easy but he, along with his band mates, are finding ways to continue their band activities, including their well-known concerts. They did not let the pandemic take away their recent winter concert; they simply adjusted to the social distancing guidelines and had everyone play their musical parts and Kim pieced it all together.

“We kind of experimented on this last year,” Kim said of a musical video. “This year, though, it took on a whole new level.”

Matt Schick is the CVHS band director. Kim said the winter concert video was actually Schick’s idea and that Kim and Kimmie Blood, the band’s drum major and president of the CVHS jazz band, supported and organized it.

“The winter concert is one night when all of our parents and [supporters] fill the [MacDonald] Auditorium,” he said.

To accomplish the online concert, the musicians each listened to a metronome track and then played along.

“I set the base rhythm track,” Blood said. “I was the first one to send it to everyone and they played over my recording.”

Both Blood and Kim are seniors and are aware of “what might have been.” Both talked about how much they missed marching down Honolulu Avenue at the annual Montrose Christmas Parade. The parade was canceled due to COVID-19.

“The Christmas Parade is a time when we get to see the community. We see lots of people during football games but it was always something to be [with the community] during the parade, Kim said.

“We have fond memories of it and it was a way we could give back.”

The virtual winter concert was a way to work together as a band family to bring the community some joy during the holiday.

“[The pandemic] has been really hard for everyone. We are in Zoom classes all day and its been hard but we have been pretty successful,” he added. “Our council leadership and Mr. Schick have been working hard to normalize [as much as possible].”

“[The winter concert] was very rewarding but it has been a difficult situation,” Blood added.

For Blood, it has been about keeping a positive spin during a negative time.

“I see my main [purpose] is to be the optimist. We have weekly council meetings with the leaders in the band; there are about 30 of us. We share what is bothering us and I never wanted to say anything negative … I wanted to be positive and keep everyone motivated,” Blood said.

She added she has learned a lot because of the pandemic.

“I feel I have learned a lot. It has been difficult, it has been hard but I [have seen] myself grow,” she said.

The leadership position she has looks nothing like that of her predecessors. She has had to learn and adapt to the ever-changing guidelines while remaining positive about her role in the band.

“I think this has made me a better leader and a better musician,” Blood said.

“[We band members] have had a really positive outlook. It has been amazing to see the family aspect of the band remain,” Kim said. “We have been able to overcome [a lot].”

Though remaining positive with her band mates hasn’t always been easy, Blood – like Kim – feels that optimism is important to get through this time and she does get some support.

“My family lets me be grumpy at home,” she said. 

To hear the concert, scan the QR code.