The COVID-19 pandemic may have closed things down, but it is not enough to keep the Creswell High School music students quiet.

"It was very difficult at first," said Sandy Green, director of the music program at Creswell School. "The children are really disappointed. They need to make a difficult attitude change, but they really can't stay silent for too long."

Out of the need for voice expression and keeping students practicing, Green offers a wide range of projects: children are assigned to develop and record their own performances of songs of their own choosing on musical instruments. result? A CHS compilation video where students can implement personally inspired projects. The harsh conditions ultimately created an environment for innovation.

However, this is not easy. There are big travel plans this year. 

"This is just a killer group," Green said. "For several years, we have had an award-winning jazz band. Since the sixth or seventh grade, I have been looking forward to working with this senior student."

The pandemic meant that Green had to readjust his students’ motivations for learning instead of performing in Reno or Disneyland. 

"Once this happens, the carrot changes," Green said. "This must be what they want to do."

Creswell High School Music Compilation

Content: A compilation of music performances containing the music and instruments selected by the students, recorded at the students' homes.

Where: www.facebook.com/CreswellSchoolsMusicProgram 

Songs and even musical instruments are determined by CHS students. Green said that students are free to use their strengths to flourish. 

"They have completed such high-quality work," Green said. "It's great that you can see what is really happening to the kids and how they keep the music alive."

Once they actively accept the challenge of isolation, the musical choices made by young musicians not only keep them busy, but also make them do things that they cannot do in class. 

Take Lily Hertman-Hogg as an example. The teenager plays the alto saxophone in the CHS band, but is surrounded by strange and unique music production tools. For this commission, Heltman-Hogg drafted a carimba to play Jim Henson's "Rainbow Connection". As a member of the mbira family in Zimbabwe, Merriam-Webster describes kalimba as an "African thumb piano." 

"It's an octave higher than my midrange. In a way, it's a bit sweet and mysterious," Hertmann Hogg said. "I just like the sound. It is a very positive tool."

Heltman-Hogg combines this bright voice with Henson's exhilarating lyrics-a hopeful plea for the dark days of 2020. 

"I like this song more and more because it is so happy and hopeful," Hertman Hogg said. "This is what I need. Maybe others will be happier after listening."

Brandon Moehlmann and Gonzalo Cardenas also expanded their music and production capabilities. Since both trombone players have the same personal tutor, the two decided to hone their skills with the "bad guy" of Billie Eilish. In the chorus of the song, the melody and vocals are extended with a sliding buzz. Moving on the pitch or scale is called "portamento". This is an opportunity for the two to practice this technique.

"The trombone is a cool instrument," Moehlmann said. "It has a slider instead of a valve or button, so you can add a lot of cool effects while playing."

Streaming media projects require two people to record their performances and then form a whole in a partial loop. Cardenas did most of the video editing work, and Moehlmann was involved.

"I am new to stitching video," Moehlmann said. "I'm not sure if this sounds right, but I'm really satisfied with the results. It's a very cool sense of accomplishment."

The CHS senior expanded his musical and technical scope as much as possible, even performing improvisations while the door of the jazz station in downtown Eugene was open. 

Self-study also developed new skills for Heltman-Hogg. The musician performed for the first time on stage, and the deep, sweet tone slammed on the nostalgic heartstrings of "Rainbow Station". At first, she lacked self-confidence. Then she found her groove.

"This project helped me discover my place in music," Hertmann Hogg said. "This is the first time Miss Green has listened to me singing, and now it seems I can take it somewhere. It's really cool to dream big. Some parts of me need this."

At the group level, the project allows students to maintain strong connections despite social separation.

"Our band project has such a sense of community, which is really cool," Moehlmann said. "Even without a specific task, we can call on members to get together. It's really special."

As the pandemic restrictions weakened, CHS has returned to mixed classes and has since established new melodic ties. Since the Oregon Department of Education allowed them to play musical instruments within social distancing, they have had three drum hoops, cheering up in the new era with old connections. As far as they are concerned, music students in the 2020-2021 school year will always mark a strange school year with exciting notes.

"I think the video is fascinating," Green said. "With the new guidance, it will be an interesting sprint to the end."

Follow Matt on Instagram @CAFE_541. Questions or comments? Email him mdenis@registerguard.com. Want more stories like this? Subscribe to get unlimited access and support local news.