Last year, we adapted to online school and extracurriculars in an attempt to maintain some sense of tradition and normalcy for students and for the community. Last year the orchestra and band concerts were prerecorded. However, this year the Band-o-Rama and Strings Extravaganza concerts were held on Dec. 14 and 15 in the gym at North. The audience was required to wear masks, but the members of the band and orchestra were allowed to remove them when playing.

President of the Band and Orchestras Booster Club Robert Cramer has a son in the band and is familiar with how the band and orchestra usually operate. He was excited to be back in person for this year’s concerts.

“I’m happy, that we’re able to have an it [concert] in person because, just like with sports, or music, or theater, or really any of the activities that students do as part of their high school experience, one of the important parts of these events is about doing them together, and about having your family and friends be able to be there to support you and be part of the experience,” Cramer said.

On top of this, Cramer felt that the preparation for the concert was much easier this year than it was last year. He noted that practices last year were held over the phone as opposed to in person and that it was tough.

“Well, last year obviously they each recorded a part from home, which was a whole different experience to try to practice and coordinate music when you’re not all in the same location is really difficult,” Cramer said. “It’d be like a band, you know, that tours, but they only practice separately, like over the phone, you know. It was just difficult to do.”

Someone who has experience playing in the orchestra is Junior Rodd Monts, who noted that there were some differences compared to previous years when preparing for the concert. There was an adjustment with all the new COVID-19 protocols, and there was potential for interruptions, but he felt that it would work out well. 

“[We are] getting back in the cycle of rehearsing with everyone, especially with South because they’re across the city, so we’re trying to get used to rehearsing with the full orchestra again after getting back from online learning,” Monts said.

 An equally excited individual was orchestra teacher Noah Zogas. He expressed his relief of being able to put on a concert this year.

“It felt good to have the opportunity for students to participate in a concert we haven’t been able to put on for the past two years due to the pandemic,” Zogas said.  “Luckily, we were able to put that together and have students experience music as a community in Grosse Pointe schools.”