Online Band & Choir

by Erik P. and Gannon V.

Students are not just finding ways to play music online, but are also finding ways of having choir and band classes online during these conditions.

Mr. Anema is a fun loving teacher who, as a young boy, would listen to his Grandpa sing and whistle. Now, as RCS' band teacher, Mr. Anema still has a burning love for music. "I tell my kids that the best part of band is making music with our friends,” says Mr. Anema.

Another fun loving teacher who loves to sing to her heart's content is Mrs. Meinders. She has been singing since junior choir at church. She has this passion for choir that comes from her parents, and she also uses singing to express her feelings .

Tragically these teachers are having difficulties teaching their classes online because when people sing and play on Zoom there are delays in the voices and instruments.

In band, since Mr. Anema can’t physically be there to help the students, he can only focus on questions like “How is music made?" and "How long does music date back to history”? He also has to be creative on how the kids practice with their instruments.

In choir, Mrs. Meinders will go over the basics of singing and how to read music as well.

Both teachers are determined to see online teaching through because they understand the importance of performing arts.

Mrs. Meinders shared a verse from Psalm 96 that is a good reminder: ”Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth." She explained that "Everyone is part of 'all the earth.'"