Beginning Fall 2020, every school district and college in Ventura Country, including Moorpark College, has had to transition to virtual learning due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Back in March, schools were immediately rushed to close and adapt to online learning because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Governor Newsom announced back in July that school districts and colleges across California are mandated to switch over to virtual due to the coronavirus, according to Politico.

A number of these courses have been influenced by this current change, including the Moorpark College’s Department of Music. There are numerous courses in the music department, including ensembles such as concert choir and also contemporary vocal ensemble. There are also classes such as music theory, musicianship which teach the basics of music and also vocal techniques.

Music majors at Moorpark College have had to transition all of their studies, group choir practices known as an Ensemble and private voice lessons with their instructor to virtual zoom sessions.

Irene Crain, a vocal major at Moorpark College, gave her thoughts on the transition from in-person to virtual learning.

“It has been difficult as a music major transitioning to online courses. Particularly because most of our lives as music majors are live performances which can’t take place due to COVID,” Crain stated.

Although the campus is closed, music majors have still been taking part in their chosen ensemble. Crain described the experience of being apart of a virtual ensemble.

“Choir has been a challenge. Recently we have decided to do a virtual choir as our project this semester since it seems we’ll be online all semester,” Crain expressed.

While other music majors were able to get the chance to experience on-campus learning, this is music major Rachel Williams’ first semester in the Music Applied course series.

“For my first year in applied, I would have liked to start on school grounds, but I also think it is a good opportunity to learn things online and come back stronger when we do go back to campus,” Williams stated.

William expressed how even with the latest transition, that the department turns the situation into a positive one and how the overall experience of the program has been positive, considering the circumstances.

“I feel like the program makes the most of the situation and provides a good way of learning,” William added.

Applied Music Coordinator and Director of Choral & Vocal Activities Professor Brandon Elliott, runs the applied music course series. Elliott elaborated on his experience with the latest transition.

“Faculty and students have been learning and adapting together to make applied music lessons as meaningful as possible given the circumstances,” Elliott stated.

In the applied music course series, music majors go through a series of one-on-one private lessons with the chosen instructor. These lessons were usually taken on campus with the professors, but have since changed to online.

Elliott elaborated on how the private lessons are operating during these circumstances.

“They are currently online only, however, there are plans in place for outdoor lessons that should be allowed by county, district, and college officials,” Elliott said.

While students and also instructors are having to adapt to the newest change, they are currently doing everything they can to continue these individual lessons.