Morgan Kirby, HMS choir director, said that because of snow days, the concert had to be postponed, but when it finally happened her students were thrilled to showcase their talents.

“It’s hard to not have an audience because the students thrive on having that opportunity,” Kirby said. “But Heritage has wonderful administrators and teachers who were willing to be an audience for the kids while they performed virtually. I think the parents and kids appreciated that they got to perform at all.”

Kirby said COVID has affected her choir classes in many ways. She said because her class is centered around group involvement and team building, this school year has been particularly challenging.

“We wear masks when we sing so their effort has to be way more than they are used to,” Kirby said. “This is good and bad, it’s harder to hear everyone and harder to sing as a group, but they really do an amazing job rising above and singing out. They still do what we have always done, we just have to be more creative which makes it fun.”

Kirby said COVID has forced her and her students to focus on the basics and individual singing.

“With having to be more creative, we have figured out lots of ways for individual singing, and this has helped them become more confident faster,” Kirby said. “We will keep that for sure. We are also spending more time talking about the body and what it does when you are singing and breathing - they are enjoying this.”

Kirby said that through her eight years at Heritage as the choir director, the best part is when her students realize how special they are and what unique gifts they possess.

“I tell them that their voices are like fingerprints, no one has the same one,” Kirby said. “Hearing their voices grow from sixth grade to eighth grade, and listening to how strong and confident they are, is enough validation for me.”

Kirby said that even with COVID, her students are still taking life lessons away from all of their classes at HMS.

“I think they take away a unique aspect of working as a team,” Kirby said. “Singing in front of others is an emotional thing, especially as a middle school student. The friendships and relationships they develop in choir are strong ones.”

Kirby said that despite set backs from the pandemic, being out for almost half the school year last year, and all the challenges they will continue to face, HMS as a whole is supportive of every student and all activities.

Kirby explained, “It [the pandemic] has taught me that anything is possible.”