BYU–Hawaii music students and faculty said in-person performances can not be replicated with virtual concerts. However, classes with a good set up and audio equipment are helpful.
Importance of performance
“Being in the room with other people experiencing something together cannot be completely replicated with virtual concerts. … As a performer, I respond to the energy of those who are listening,” said Stacy McCarrey, an adjunct faculty in the Faculty of Culture, Language & Performing Arts.
Jonathan Torio, a senior from the Philippines studying vocal performance, said, “Performing helps me forget the stress and pressure that I feel with all of my hard classes.” He said it gives him hope, happiness and is his life. “I could perform every day for my whole life if I could.”
Nalani Matthias, a junior from New Jersey studying vocal performance, discussed how being together in person is a huge factor in the quality of art. “In the arts world, everything is based on in-person connection. The theatre runs on people being near each other. The orchestra needs to be in a group to hear and see the director. The vocalists need to hear each other sing live.”
Learning music online
McCarrey, who teaches Music 103 and piano to students, said remote music classes came with challenges. “There are at least two huge challenges involved with distance music-making: getting good sound quality … and time lag.
“Zoom, unfortunately, was not created for music, and the sound quality is inadequate.”
To adjust to the lack of personal connection, McCarrey, said the music program has been trying to improve their classes by a set up in the auditorium where students on-island can have virtual lessons.
To help students off-island, students were provided with a microphone to improve sound so music lessons can be possible, she said.
Torio said, “Our department did a really good job of teaching virtually and connecting with our students. I am really amazed that they had a very effective plan for the department, especially for our music and voice majors.”
Matthias said she is grateful for what the faculty have done for students. “The music faculty have done so much to help us adjust as well as we can. They have made sure we have the right equipment to do our online lessons and recordings and keep us sane during this weird time.”
“Words can’t even express how grateful I am for [the music program]. The music department is small, and I think because of that, we’ve become a close family. The professors have looked after us, made sure we’re okay, and just simply been good friends,” Matthias said.
Torio said, “I want to say thank you to my music teachers and to the whole faculty. There is a quote that says, ‘to play a wrong note is insignificant but to play without passion is inexcusable.’”
The music program teachers are passionate about their jobs, teaching students to work hard and have disciple, Torio said. “Our teachers are the stars that taught us how to shine.”