MARBLEHEAD — Band director Kevin Goddu and his students in Marblehead High School probably didn’t expect their classes to ever include lessons in how to evade turkeys and revving up portable generators, but that’s part of what 2020 has thrown their way.
“It’s been a mix of both online and in-person,” Goddu said of this year’s classes. “In September, the guidance was that we were not allowed to play instruments or sing indoors, so we did a lot of things outdoors.
“Marblehead has a lot of wild turkeys and they can be aggressive sometimes,” Goddu said. “We’ve had some incidents, but everyone adapted. I’ve been impressed with how the kids have been taking it. It’s turned into a fun experience. I never thought I’d learn how to take care of a generator to keep things running outside, that’s not something they teach in music school.”
Thankfully, the Magicians eventually got to bring their instruments inside as the year went on and the cold winds of the winter months rolled in. Since then it’s been all about learning new skills and practicing playing their tunes in some different ways.
“We’ve been adapting with the virtual stuff,” Goddu said. “Obviously, we can’t all be playing or singing at the same time with internet lags, but we’re utilizing technology to create a better musical experience.”
Those technologies include stitching together videos of students’ individually recorded works, creating a virtual concert that sounds like a full band playing together. It may not be as thrilling as a live show, but it brings with it its own benefits, said Goddu.
“Myself and our choral music teacher Andrew Scoglio have learned a lot between using things like Final Cut Pro. The virtual ensemble has definitely changed what we’re able to do. Obviously it’s not the same as a live show, but it still brings a different experience to the kids. We like to think about how that’s what the professionals do when they make their music.”
Fortunately, years of collecting brass, flute, percussion and other instruments have helped Goddu distribute items to his students safely, a luxury many communities don’t have.
“I’m fortunate here in Marblehead to have enough spare instruments where every student does have their own for the year,” Goddu said. “Percussion students are expected to learn five to 10 different instruments, so there is some disinfecting. But I know there are some other schools that are struggling where they have three tuba players and only one tuba. Thankfully, we haven’t been affected.”
The Magicians are continuing their hybrid work inside and online until the warmer spring weather allows outside classes, and Goddu is thankful for have a group of students that will keep working even if it is frustrating sometimes.
“The marching and a cappella bands were able to do some concerts outside earlier so we’re hoping to get back to that when we get warmer weather again,” Goddu said. “The kids have just been really resilient. Some days are better than others, and we’re bummed out to not see each other as much. That’s where our focus as teachers has been this year, making sure the kids are doing OK.”
