COVID-19 and the Future of Fine Arts

COVID-19 AND THE FUTURE OF FINE ARTS Danielle Kuntz | Staff Writer Professors of music, art and theater are working through the challenges to come in the Spring

With COVID-19 cases in Arkansas and across the country rising at an alarming rate, students have no guarantee that another shutdown won’t come knocking at their doors. Even if Hendrix can keep students on campus in the Spring, strict social distancing rules will create a very different Hendrix. The current online semester has brought many new challenges. Still, these drastic changes are perhaps felt most in departments like Music and Dance, which depend so heavily on in-person interaction between students. Even the idea of an in-person Spring semester raises questions of how to practice and perform safely.

Dr. Gretchen Renshaw-James, the Wind Ensemble Conductor and Instructor of Low Brass, is just one professor having to adjust to this situation. She writes, “Holding music classes and ensembles online is certainly a challenge, but one that we’ve fortunately been able to overcome. Although some things had to function differently this fall, we were still able to successfully achieve our course learning goals - even if we had to do so in a new way… For example, Wind Ensemble relied on virtual sectional rehearsals and virtual band projects that allowed us to, in a way, perform together.” From navigating Zoom rehearsals to redefining what it means to perform as a group, remote musical collaboration has been a unique experience for everyone involved.

When it comes to the Spring semester, Dr. Renshaw says, “We’ll be taking numerous precautions to keep everyone safe… when we rehearse indoors, we’ll be practicing in groups of 8-12 people spaced about 12 feet apart. We’ll use two rehearsal locations so that we can spend about 25 minutes in one space before moving to the next space. In addition, we’ll be rehearsing and performing with specially designed face masks and bell covers. As soon as the weather is warm enough, we’ll plan to move many rehearsals outside.” As Dr. Renshaw demonstrates, sometimes the best option for a group like this is to try and exceed the minimum guidelines (like spacing out 12 feet instead of six) in the interest of everyone’s safety.

Students in Hendrix’s Fine Arts departments feel the effects of the pandemic with a unique intensity. For a senior, having to alter or completely miss performance milestones throughout the year can be especially disappointing, since they might not receive a “doover” without staying at Hendrix for an extra year. Lauren Porter, a senior member of the Dance Ensemble, writes, “... [We’ve] been meeting virtually this semester to work on pieces that will be performed at the spring concert… [and] we will have to be distanced on stage. I was really excited about an idea I had… but I ended up having to scrap it to maintain distance.” Lauren’s experience shows one way in which the pandemic is, not only affecting how students gather, but also altering the art they’re able to create as a result. She continues to say that “It’s definitely disappointing… but we are all trying to make the best of it… this semester has made me so appreciative of my community at Hendrix, and I am beyond ready to be back in Trieschmann with everyone.”

Though returning to campus in January will prove challenging, this online semester has prepared both professors and students for the obstacles to come. Finding a way to perform despite being miles apart has also provided these groups with a new appreciation for their community. Our fingers are crossed for an in-person Spring semester, but regardless, we can rest assured that artists at Hendrix will find a way to keep creating and performing.