Sixth grade orchestra students at Seneca Middle School and Sequoya Middle School took part in a video conference through Skype earlier this month.
Students played scales and exercises together. Individuals performed their NYSSMA solos for each other and gave one other positive feedback.
“Some students played by themselves, and some played in small groups or partners,” said Lauren Kant, a music teacher at Seneca. “Students really enjoyed playing with students who they just met and performing for each other.”
Kant said they focused on positive feedback, which made the students feel like they were in a safe environment.
“All of the students expressed after the video conferencing that they really enjoyed it,” Kant said. “They thought it was fun, different, and a good performance experience. They all asked to do it again in the future.”
-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro