Orchestra students have been playing their instruments to the guidelines of COVID-19, but the separation between students makes learning difficult and not as fun. 

Orchestra director Melanie Richardson said her students are disappointed that they can’t play together with the e-learners.

“It is just not the same not having everyone here and I am positive that [the students] miss seeing their friends that are currently e-learning every day,” she said.

One of Richardson’s students Maya S.(8) said she would have had more improvements on her performance if the whole orchestra was in person. 

“I felt if all the orchestra would have been in person,” she said, “I would have gotten more feedback and ideas on how I could improve and critique on my ensemble’s performance more.”

Having students separated also keeps them from getting to know each other. 

“I wish we were all together so I could get to know my e-learning students better as well,” Richardson said. “I just don’t feel like I know them as well as I would like to.”

Riley McKee

Editor’s note: Brevard Public Schools policy prohibits the inclusion of middle-schoolers’ last names on district-sponsored websites.