Our older son was in Band in high school (sax) and our younger (first tenor) began Choir in middle school. I attended State competitions for both Band and Choir, but one year the Seaside High School choir director, Michelle Starke, directed a song from the middle of an auditorium with students all around the sides of the vast space. That meant the choir had to pay absolute attention to their director because sound does not travel instantly. To keep their voices together required discipline.

A California high school choir sang a capella from home. If you haven’t already seen it, you need to listen and watch this.

“School closures throughout the nation have halted highly-anticipated campus events and activities with hundreds of thousands of students practicing social distancing at home. While the annual Chino Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) Choral Festival—originally scheduled for Wednesday, March 18—has been cancelled, our Chino Hills HS Chamber Singers demonstrated resilience by recording their individual a cappella portion of Over the Rainbow in their separate homes, and through technology were able to appear together as a family again. Their harmonious performance was shared online for the CVUSD community with the goal of spreading hope and cheer during this difficult time.”

And from novelist Nicola Griffith: “No one knows where we’re heading or what it’ll be like when we get there. So be kind. Be patient. Be cheerful. Don’t let yourself be ruled by fear. Choose love and compassion. Forgive yourself and others. Stay connected to others. Take your joy where you can. Try to assume good intent. If you feel bad, be kind to yourself. And remember that some people out there will be in a bad way, mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially. If you can spare anything extra—money, kindness, patience, a mask, the benefit of the doubt, a moment to listen—you might brighten one small corner of the world. Do your best to be a fine human being. And we might all get through this.”