The Academy of the Holy Angels' 2020 celebration of Music in Our Schools Month® mirrored world events.
March began with the AHA Handbell Choir performing together on campus and concluded with senior Kayla Pringle singing a moving solo of the AHA Alma Mater from her home.
www.drive.google.com/file/d/1n6anR5YELzjzahfaVmAT1fUDG8DL3ULX/view?usp=drivesdk
Distance learning was implemented in mid-March to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
"Music in Our Schools Month® is about bringing awareness to the importance of music and how we can share it with others, and, no matter where we are, there's always a way we can do that, even if it is a short video," Kayla shared.
This active senior plays cello for the AHA Orchestra and sings with the group that performs at school assemblies and liturgies.
She also sings with JOY, an AHA-based group that presents concerts to residents of senior housing centers.
AHA Instrumental Music Director Mariann Annecchino wanted to conclude MIOSM with the singing of the Alma Mater.
Without access to the engineering equipment needed to collate multiple solos, she requested a single performance.
The music teacher explained that, during a recent distance learning session, she played the Alma Mater for her humanities students. One responded with a "frown" emoji.
"When I asked her why, she said it was because we would never be able to sing the Alma Mater together again.
It was unfortunate. I lightened it up by saying we could sing it together. We won't hear each other or be near each other, but we'll know we're singing together."