2021 and 2022 have been the most confusing, chaotic, and stressful years for many students at West Albany. While athletes have been struggling with schedules being on and off and events being put on hold, members of the West Albany choir and band program have also been facing the same difficulties. Much like last year, many musical, traditional and sports events took place online and made their way back to n person. As complicated as the online process is, being social isn’t the most comfortable thing for everyone.

     “There were a lot fewer people coming into the programs because they hated doing online band and choir so they just quit or didn’t even show up,” senior Dru Huddleston said, who’s currently in both choir and band.

     Practices now take place in new classrooms and require masks and covers on some of the instruments used. Masks aren’t needed for a period of playing or singing time, but are required to be put on afterwards, depending on the performance.

     As of recently, Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble, Concert Band, Jazz one and Jazz two have also been getting used to performing together regularly and traveling to different locations for major events and competitions. 

      Feb. 15 was the first choir performance in two years after being away for so long. Not only did the performances bring hope and relief back into the atmosphere, but it gave parents and students a sense of joy after dealing with such chaos.

    Jazz and wind ensembles are also making a comeback to the scene after hosting district festivals and attending competitions while dealing with difficult conditions that are still ongoing. 

   Senior Misaki Yonemura, who’s the first chair in the clarinet section, had expressed their relief in coming back in person after explaining the complications and improvements of everyone’s relationship with the program.

     “Now that we’re doing sectionals in person it’s been a lot better. It was really hard to have them in the pandemic because everyone didn’t always want to participate when they were supposed to, Yonemura said.“During practices I was one of the few people who talked and held conversations, but with the help of everyone being there things have been a lot better.” 

     As rates of Covid cases rise and fall, the future might have a different outcome than what many expect. Members of both programs from West Albany, alongside the rest of West Albany, will have to wait and see.