BY KADE MIROS

At Wadsworth High School, the choir department has had to make some major changes to their everyday routine. Such as sitting six feet apart, choreography, future events and much more.

With every choir group, there is choreography, and with choreography most likely comes partner dancing. This includes standing close to your partner, touching hands, doing tricks, flips, etc. 

One of the choreographers, Phillip Crawshaw, came to Wadsworth High School to teach choreography for the choir’s Fall Concert.

“As a choreographer, Covid-19 has changed the partnering and especially the spacing in between each person which messes up the overall picture of everybody, but I do not consider that a major challenge,” said Crawshaw.

When put into positions on stage, everybody is put into a precise position in order to form some sort of picture.

“Going to each school is different, because back where I live in Indiana every school is different from each other but I just have to make sure that I am following the guidelines of each school,” said Crawshaw.

Some school’s choir rooms can not meet the requirements to be socially distant, so this results in them practicing in their school’s cafeteria, gymnasium, or any large amount of space that is not being used. 

Along with choreography, the day to day routine for the choir students has changed drastically such as rules, the location of the class, no mirrors to use for choreography, and their ability to sing.

“Singing with a mask on is quite difficult only because it gets sucked in when you breathe, but other than that, it is not that hindering,” said Dylan Currens, a sophomore choir member.

Masks change the sound of certain things which results in the finished product not sounding the same as it would without a mask on.

“It is almost like exercising with a mask on because the fabric can get stuck to your face, especially when it comes to taking in a deep breath and diction,” said Erik Schnell, 10.

The choir participates in multiple events throughout the school year such as going to Kings Island, concerts, and going on tour, which are going to look a bit different with the current situation.

The director, Kalyn Davis, has been working to try to make choir as normal as possible.

“Overall kids have had great attitudes about it. It is not what we want to do, it is what we have to do,” said Davis.

Throughout the school year, the choir department puts on four concerts. Davis is trying to figure out a way to make the concerts in person and even possible.

“We are currently working with the administrations right now such as performing in the gymnasium like we would do with the fine arts festival,” said Davis.

With the choir having to make multiple adjustments coming into this school year, they are trying to keep things as normal as possible, as they continue planning the normal concerts and events, even if they look a little different.