Masks make live concerts possible

By TOM LAVENTURE

[email protected]

Hurley - Live music performances are possible once again, thanks in a big way to special masks for the musicians and also their instruments.

Members of the Hurley School Junior and Senior High Bands performed their spring concert on Tuesday in the school gym for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions last March 2020. The school district allowed the performances to start again in part because each performer was fitted with coverings to prevent the spread of coronavirus while performing.

Jesika Cane, director of the school bands, said that a $2,500 donation from the Hurley Education Foundation was used to purchase special masks that allow band members to play wind instruments along with covers that prevent breath from circulating when it leaves the instrument. The band members also wear masks that are fitted to play mouth instruments.

It took some time for the band members to get comfortable playing while using the protective equipment, she said. The spring concert was the first opportunity to perform using them, she said.

"They've done an amazing job progressing considering all the time they were off from class," Cane said, adding that it was also a challenge to play together online while attending school virtually.

Another reason the performance was possible was the school district's comfort going ahead with music events after the success of the guest limits and player safety requirements for the fall and winter sports programs. The indoor events during the COVID-19 pandemic with limited guest attendance and masking led the administrators and school board to allow other events using the same requirements.

Lydia Mattson, choral director, said the "singers masks," came through the Broadway Relief Project in New York City.

The masks were developed to capture droplets while also providing comfort and ease of motion while singing and students were eagerly waiting for the opportunity to use them, she said.

"We are so incredibly grateful to the HEF for this donation, as we have missed being able to sing so much this year," Mattson said.

The school administration has been supportive in seeking ways to make the music program, sports program, and other extracurricular activities possible this school year, she said. The foundation also approved funds to purchase instruments for the music program to include piano keyboards and mallet percussion.

The masks were also made available to the Hurley K-12 School, according to Melissa DeCarlo, the cheerleading coach. It will allow the teams to sing the school song and shout their cheers.

The cheer squad was able to perform at some home games and at away games at school districts that allow for cheer squad attendance during the pandemic.