Editor’s Note: This article has been edited to include video footage. See below for video performances contributed by Margaret Neiswender.   

Hill Orchestra and Jazz Band have undergone great changes during the 20-21 school year, but restrictions posed by COVID-19 do not stop Hill musicians from practicing and performing.

According to Director of Instrumental Music Margaret Neiswender, rehearsals divided up by instrument sections take place simultaneously in the band room and the CFTA theater. To meet the sanitation standards, Neiswender has mandated that all students except wind players wear masks at all times, and wind instruments have bell covers to help reduce the size of aerosol particles dispersed. Chairs are placed six feet apart like in other classrooms; instruments and working areas are sanitized after class; and each musician has a bottle of Steri-Spray made for instrument and mouthpiece cleaning and sanitization. 

As for this fall’s concert, since live audiences are not permitted during this time, performances will be videotaped and shared with the Hill community. Remote students who cannot join as a full band will introduce each piece in the video. 

“I’m really pleased with the progress of the Jazz Ensemble and with students in Class Piano. We hope to share several jazz pieces with the community by the end of the Autumn 1 Term. Everyone is working together to stay safe and healthy while keeping the music playing!” Neiswender said. 

Mr. Garrison Smith ’15, a teaching intern, also helps with the music and language departments. He contributes to conducting simultaneous rehearsals and organizing music for remote students. “I’m glad for an opportunity to report on our program as we manage protocols and safety measures,” Smith said. 

“This year the Jazz Band will also learn music theory on musictheory.net so that our remote students can be included. We are also using Flipgrid as a way to share everyone’s playing,” Henry Chen ’21, president of the Hill Jazz Band, said. “I think Mrs. Neiswender is doing a great job of adapting to this tough situation, and our TA Mr. Smith is also helping a lot to make things run smoothly. I would like to thank them both.”

Watch these videos to see performances from the Jazz Band and Orchestra:

Contributed By: Margaret Neiswender