The music staff of Chicago Heights School District 170 created a "Virtual District Choir" from an assignment designed for the third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students district-wide.
The students participated in the choir as part of the enhanced remote learning process using only the technology available to them, including Google Classroom, Chromebooks, headphones, earbuds, etc.
Students also participated via Flipgrid, an easy to use learning platform that enables teachers to ask questions to which students respond through a video.
James Rahtjen, who teaches Music at Washington-McKinley and Jefferson Schools, spearheaded the activity in conjunction with the talents of the other members of the district's Music staff, Laura Angellotti (Garfield and Greenbriar Schools), Kristin Schmal (Grant, Lincoln, and Wilson Schools), and Anna Swiech, Kennedy and Roosevelt Schools).
The four conduct Zoom meetings each day during their planning periods and concocted the idea of teaching students the process of making individual recordings stitched together to create the virtual choir.
"We taught every student the song, "In December," utilizing a YouTube video in our Google Classrooms and singing it with them in class," Rahtjen said.
"The challenge was to get a good quality recording of each student's voice but only their voice. No music, just voice," he continued.
To ensure that the voices synchronized with the music and, eventually, with each other, the students had to sing along with the music on the YouTube video.
"The students had to wear their headphones and sing along with the music so that the Chromebook picked up only their voice. Utilizing headphones, the students had a symphonic accompaniment in their heads, but the computer only recorded their voices.,” Rahtjen added.
"The undertaking wasn't easy as the students had to learn how to start a Flipgrid recording, don their headphones, start the music, sing, and then submit the recording."
"In addition to all the working parts, we battled the typical noises in a remote classroom… brothers and sisters, dogs, cats, birds, blaring TV sets; it was a challenge, but the students rose to the challenge!"
When finished, Rahtjen imported the students' videos onto professional recording software, synchronized the recordings with a professional instrumental background track, cleaned up the pieces, and assembled the finished product.
While not of professional quality, considering all of the obstacles overcome, the finished product is a testament to the students and Music staff's commitment and initiative.
"The creation of such a unique video beautifully illustrates the talents of our district's Music students and staff and reflects their commitment to making the best of the enhanced remote learning experience," said Mary Kay Entsminger, CHSD170's Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction.
Summarizing the project, Rahtjen said, "I know that all teachers have faced many challenges in implementing the remote enhanced learning protocols due to COVID-19 restrictions, but I salute each of the Music staff for making this a special year for our children and count myself privileged to serve alongside them."