ORONO — Each spring, ensembles from the University of Maine School of Performing Arts’ Division of Music leave campus for performance tours around Maine, stopping to play concerts in schools, churches and community centers across the state and beyond.
This year, with the COVID-19 pandemic still limiting gatherings and travel, the spring tour will nevertheless go on — albeit virtually, with morning performance programs by the University of Maine Symphonic Band, the University Singers and the University of Maine Jazz Ensemble livestreamed via YouTube in April.
The University of Maine Symphonic Band will perform at 8:15 and 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday, April 7, on youtube.com. The University Singers, directed by Francis Vogt, will perform at 8:15 and 9:45 a.m. Friday, April 12. on youtube.com. The University Jazz Ensemble will play at 8:15 and 9:45 Sunday, April 14, on youtube.com.
Christopher White, director of the UMaine Symphonic Band, says his student performers are looking forward to the series, and especially the opportunity to make live music available to students during the school day. “Since we can’t tour, livestreaming allows us to reach school students during a time when it is not possible to do so in person.”
Spring tours have long been a chance to reach into the community and foster interest in and commitment to the performing arts. Beyond enjoyment, White says, “we want students to realize performing music does last beyond the public school years, for all students regardless of major,” said White, according to a news release from UMaine News.
Jack Burt, professor of trumpet and director of the Jazz Ensemble, agrees. “We’ve worked hard to continue making music during these times,” he said, and despite the challenges and the university safety protocols in place, music ensembles at UMaine have thrived. Burt says this tour is a chance for them to show off a year of hard work under extraordinary conditions: “We’ve got a wonderful program prepared,” according to the release.
For Nola Prevost, an English major and member of the University Singers, the abrupt cancellation of last year’s spring tour during the first wave of COVID-19 was a blow. “The tour has always been such a special time for us, because we get to be immersed in the music and we grow closer as a group. Losing that to the pandemic was hard.” A virtual tour, she says, isn’t quite the same, but it’s a reminder of past successes and the possibilities post-pandemic.
“I’m just glad we’re able to fall into some semblance of normal,” said Prevost.
For more information, email Brian Jansen at brian.jansen@maine.edu.
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