Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association ensembles haven’t been able to meet in person during these days of COVID, but, as they say, the show must go on. According to CGOA Conductor and Music Director Mark Steighner, Canticum (small vocal ensemble) has recorded two videos, Voci has recorded two, and Sinfonietta has recorded one. All are available for viewing on YouTube. Steighner said each performer makes audio and video recordings of themselves doing their part, and then the individual tracks are assembled, synchronized and edited into a final video performance. “It has been a steep learning curve for everyone, but we’re starting to get the process figured out,” Steighner said. “Some CGOA ensembles are tentatively planning on resuming rehearsals, outdoors and with very strict safety protocols, this summer. Right now, our Canticum vocal group is rehearsing in the parking lot of St Mark’s Church.”
Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association ensembles haven’t been able to meet in person during these days of COVID, but, as they say, the show must go on. According to CGOA Conductor and Music Director Mark Steighner, Canticum (small vocal ensemble) has recorded two videos, Voci has recorded two, and Sinfonietta has recorded one. All are available for viewing on YouTube. Steighner said each performer makes audio and video recordings of themselves doing their part, and then the individual tracks are assembled, synchronized and edited into a final video performance. “It has been a steep learning curve for everyone, but we’re starting to get the process figured out,” Steighner said. “Some CGOA ensembles are tentatively planning on resuming rehearsals, outdoors and with very strict safety protocols, this summer. Right now, our Canticum vocal group is rehearsing in the parking lot of St Mark’s Church.”
Several months into the global pandemic, most people are very familiar with virtual meeting apps such as Zoom, now used in lieu of face-to-face meetings, in schools and even for families to stay connected. But what if a group of typical eighth graders are left to their own devices on Zoom? Will class continue as usual or will the students hijack the session and take it in another direction than U.S. History?
That is the premise behind the new online/YouTube musical, “My Life in a Square,” written for Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association (CGOA) by Artistic Director Mark Steighner for the CGOA Youth Chorus — and guests — under the direction of Corin Parker. The 35-minute musical stars nine students in grades 4-9 and features eight original songs. The monotony of pandemic life, spending too much time with your parents, wild rumors about the virus and quality time with one’s pets are just some of the subjects explored in song.
Although some of the dialogue was recorded live in an actual Zoom meeting, all of the songs were recorded at home by the students and edited together in a process that can be very time consuming. Steighner noted that it took much longer to edit the show than to write the script or compose the music. The students began working on the show in early June.
Steighner said that Parker was a key component in the process. “Corin worked with the kids on their songs and lines, she kept them on task, and she sent a steady and probably annoying series of reminders to their parents when the kids were late with their submissions. But of course, the stars of the show are literally the students and the extra fun and life they brought to both the dialogue and songs.”
Cast members are Hannah Olivia Hamilton, Kylie Jepsen, Trinity Martin, Wesley Parker, Anneliese Richardson, Evelyn Rogers, Kadence Gomez-Sorensen, Sophi Studebaker, and Elliot Winwood.
Although “My Life in a Square” is free on YouTube, Steighner and Parker hope that people will follow the donate button on the YouTube page and make a small contribution to CGOA.
“Think of it as buying a one time ticket,” Steighner said. “The same as if you were going to a play in a theater. Except you can watch it as many times as you want!”
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