Music students from Carlton Comprehensive High School took part in an online concert Monday afternoon. (Screen Shot YouTube)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

a virtual performance

P.A. music students taking part in national concert series

May 4, 2020 | 5:05 PM

Music students at Carlton Comprehensive High School took part in a different kind of concert Monday.

With the COVID-19 virus forcing Saskatchewan’s schools to close their doors, music students are not able to put on their annual spring concert.

“We had a very, very special concert planned and it was going to be something like no other that we had done and it was disappointing for all us that, that couldn’t happen,” said Brenda Bernath, the music teacher at Carlton.

Those still wanting to see local students perform can visit Carlton’s YouTube channel, where they will be able to see videos of individual and group performances.

Bernath said her students will not be the only ones taking part as this virtual concert as part of a national event.

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“Sunday, I received an email about the Coalition of Music Education trying to put together a virtual choir to celebrate music Monday,” she said, noting that event was used as an inspiration to do something at the local level.

Music Monday is an annual event which aims to celebrate the value of music education. This year organizers will be showcasing performances from coast to coast via streaming on their website, Facebook and YouTube. The COVID-19 virus forced organizers to go to an online only event.

(Screen Shot YouTube)

Bernath explained around 14 students were able to do their own individual videos from home. She added some students were not able to provide individual videos for a host of reasons, so Carlton’s compilation included footage from previous performances by students.

The music performed was a wide array of genres and featured students playing instruments and solo singing.

Bernath said when she brought the idea up with her students she was met with a positive response, with one of them telling her it was a great idea.

“They were really ready to jump on board and get started,” she said.

The music educator said during this challenging time, people have been looking to the arts and now have more time to fully appreciate them. Bernath adds it speaks volumes about what the arts bring to people’s lives.

“So many people have turned to music and so to me that just speaks to how important music really is in our lives,” she said.

(YouTube Screen Shot)

MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn