The dreaded novel coronavirus that’s swept across the country has turned people’s lives upside down. Entire professional sports seasons have been canceled. Mega music stars have axed their concerts.
School districts and colleges have ordered students to stay home for the rest of the semester; some will never attend high school prom or cross the stage to receive their diploma.
Parents are learning how to embrace time spent with their children while simultaneously working from home. A new way of life involves fighting for toilet paper at the store while avoiding close contact with people at all costs.
A group of high school choir singers from Chino Valley Unified School District in San Bernardino County, Calif., were incredibly disappointed when the coronavirus outbreak canceled their beloved annual choral festival.
President Donald Trump has ordered people not to gather in groups of more than 10, which made it impossible for the festival to be held.
However, these students were undeterred and not about to let a devastating virus take away their chance to perform songs that they had been rehearsing for months.
Earlier in March, all 35 schools in the district shut down and sent students home. Imee Perius, director of communications for the school district, had seen videos circulating of Italian neighbors singing together while sequestered at home.
The entire country has been in lockdown.
Imee was inspired by the Italians’ camaraderie in the face of such adversity. She knew that something similar could be done with the students who sacrificed their concert in order to keep their community and others safe.
Nineteen Chino Hills High School chamber singers recorded their individual parts to a song they’d been rehearsing together.
But this time they sang alone on camera – very nervewracking!
An editor assisting the school district took each of the student’s solos and spent 36 hours meshing them together to make an incredible final piece.
As the video begins, a few students are spotlighted before the performance begins. They selected the song “Over the Rainbow” and opted to sing it like Israel Kamakawiwoʻole.
Camille Cortes, one of the singers in the video, told CNN she’s been in choir all four years of her high school career and having the concert canceled her senior year broke her heart.
“It was really devastating for all of us knowing that we might not get the opportunity to sing together anymore. Our choir is more of a family.”
She spent two hours perfecting her individual piece but the time was well worth it in the end. Imee applauded what the students did.
“The students have come together even though they are apart and contributed to this time in our history and I think they’re so happy about that. This is the kind of silver lining that we all need right now.”
The final version was broadcast far and wide with people marveling over what the students had done. All 19 voices were beautifully blended into a masterpiece.
Hear for yourself in the video below how amazing the students sound and how technology allowed them to come together and be the light during a darker time.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
