By Lucas Greifzu – Sports Editor

The coronavirus has severely impacted nearly every aspect of the Jonathan Law community. However, the band program at Jonathan Law is one of the programs that has been impacted the most. Advocate Sports Editor Lucas Greifzu interviewed Jonathan Law Director of Bands and Orchestra Mr. Pelaggi about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the band program that he directs.

Lucas Greifzu: How has the band been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic this year?

Mr. Pelaggi: Band has been impacted by the COVID pandemic in a lot of different ways. Since band students are blowing air into their instruments, we have to take a few extra precautions in the classroom. We currently keep 12×12 foot spacing between students indoors and outdoors while we play. We also can only rehearse for 30 minutes at a time in a given space and then it must be cleared to air out. We haven’t had any formal in person performances this year as well. Through it all we have still been able to make some great music and keep our community as strong as ever.

LG: What events are you hoping to do next year that you weren’t able to do this year?

MP: The event I want to have the most is a successful band camp. During band camp, students are really able to form some great relationships with each other and learn so much about their instruments. Obviously, performances are great and fun, but the real learning takes place in our rehearsal time together. COVID really cut our rehearsal time down. The more we are together next year, the better, as long as we are safe.

LG: How has COVID-19 impacted membership in band, both this year, and recruiting for next year?

MP: It is a little too early to tell still, but I am optimistic that we will sustain our membership. We had an excellent recruiting event last week with West Shore and Harborside. I think a lot of our student body, especially our band members, are excited to be able to do more things with each other. Our best recruiters are our current members, so I have to have faith that they will spread the word about how awesome our community is and what a joy it is to be a member of the band.

LG: Has this year taught you anything in regards to teaching, if so, what did it teach you?

MP: Definitely. First and foremost, I have found that I need to be okay, mentally and physically, to be there for my students. I enjoy life more when I am less anxious, and anxiety has always been an issue for me. I communicate with my students better when I am less anxious and that leads to more learning for them. Some things I’ve taken up to ease my anxiety are daily exercise, a healthier diet, limiting my cell phone use, and picking up a couple new hobbies like golf and wood working. I have really overworked the last couple years and I think having a better work life balance has made me a more effective teacher.  As far as in class teaching, every day is a new adventure. We have had to try new techniques every day in the classroom to ensure our students are learning. A big piece of my teaching philosophy I have tried to change over the last couple months is focusing on learning rather than “work.” I have been trying to say the word work less because I think personally that school should be a place where students learn and learn how to learn. Ensuring learning vs. completing work has been more effective for my students this year.

LG: How do you think that this year has still been a success despite the limitations that COVID-19 has presented?

MP: I believe that times like this are necessary to the human experience. For all the good times we have, there are also challenging times. It sounds cliche, but it is the yin and yang of life. During challenging times it helps to be thankful for them. We don’t have sunny days without rainy ones. It may not seem like it right now, but there will be better days. Some of my best teaching has happened during this year because I have had the time and space to try something outside the box. I have focused on student well-being and relationships more than I have ever had the opportunity to in the past. I have also tried things and they have failed miserably. If you don’t fail every once and a while, are you really learning? A phrase I use in my ensembles that sums this up is “sometimes you have to sit in your own suck.” You have to push through the bad sounds to achieve the good ones. You have to sit in the space where something sucks for a while to see improvement. I think this past year has sucked, and that is okay. I don’t want to lie and say it has all been excellent. As a school, a band community, a music community, and as individuals, we will all grow from this experience and be better. Brighter days are ahead and that is where we will find our success.