November 29, 2021
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2021, the College quickly pivoted to an online format in order to continue serving students and hosting live events for the campus community. The music department was no exception—having to adjust and learn to be agile in the new normal.
“Managing sound over Zoom is hard enough on its own, let alone trying to coordinate annual concerts and events with many people singing and playing instruments all at once,” says Lou De La Rosa, chair of the Department of Music & Dance and director of choral & vocal studies.
However, despite the challenges the pandemic has posed for the music department an opportunity to approach concerts from a different mindset and the effects of this change in perspective has left a lasting impact even as in-person classes and live performances begin to return to campus.
“I’m enjoying teaching like I haven’t in a very, very long time. In the past, I focused on working with our students to create a slick, professional performance, and we still do want that, but when the pandemic hit we all gave ourselves some grace, adjusted, and began focusing more on the process, not the product,” says De La Rosa. “Now, it’s more like let’s just teach and whatever comes out at the end is great.”
The pandemic also provided an opportunity for the West Valley College Symphonic Band and the West Valley College Concert Choir to collaborate on performances, with their first combined livestream concert being held last month.
“Now, for the first time ever we are coming together to perform in front of a live audience for the Disney Concert, Plus!, a concert that celebrates music from everything Disney, including the films, theme parks, and subsidiary companies like Marvel,” says Troy Davis, director of instrumental music & jazz studies.
The Disney Concert first began as a result of the frequent requests Davis would receive for the Symphonic Band to play music from Disney. He decided to try and meet that demand by creating a concert centered around Disney music. The idea was an instant success, with performances growing so packed that they were standing room only.
And, while social distancing and other COVID-19 related procedures mean the concert will look a little different this year, De La Rosa and Davis are excited to collaborate together on the first in-person music performance from the music department in over a year.
“The most important thing is being together, making music together, remembering what it’s like to balance and blend and tune and just to relish that,” says De La Rosa.
The Disney Concert, Plus! will be held on Saturday, December 11th from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.in the West Valley College Theater. The show will include music from Disney films like Enchanted, Aladdin, Brave, and Mulan, in addition to holiday music celebrating both Hanukkah and Christmas. Tickets are on sale now at this link.
All attendees are required to follow campus COVID-19 safety protocols which include masking indoors and filling out the daily health self-assessment through the WVC GO App or on site using the QR code at the event.
For more information on the West Valley College Music Department, please visit https://www.westvalley.edu/academics/music/.