Throughout the month of December, students from Penn Manor School District participated in a variety of holiday concerts both at their own schools and within the community. Live performances were one of many events that were halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and although many returned under certain restrictions in 2021, this was the first season that the concerts could return in full force.

Certain music directors employed new methods to share students' musical talents during the pandemic. Among these staff members was Penn Manor High School (PMHS) choir director Lauren Ciemiewicz. For the large ensemble, Ciemiewicz recorded each of the voice parts individually and used a software program to overlay the parts and virtually simulate a concert. For the small ensemble, Ciemiewicz tasked each student with recording his or her parts on an iPhone using a click track and then assembled the recordings for the virtual performance.

While she is grateful for the technology that allowed the students to perform during the pandemic, she is grateful for the full return to live performances. "It feels great to be back," said Ciemiewicz. "The students in general seem more grateful for the opportunity to perform and go out into the community again." Live performances were held last year but suffered from setbacks such as missing students who were in quarantine. Also, the performance groups were not able to visit the local retirement communities and organizations that normally host the performers. This year, on Dec. 10, the Manor Singers were excited to perform at the Conestoga Historical Society's Candlelight Christmas event once again. "You could see the excitement in the students knowing that we can share the music," said Ciemiewicz.

Many of the methods used by teachers to sustain music programs during the pandemic are still being used. In PMHS' new building, each concert is still recorded and archived for future reference. "It's a strange feeling to go back to what we knew as normal," said Andrew Johnson, PMHS music department coordinator. Johnson and many of the department staff have also continued to use certain safety measures borne during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as managing the moisture from brass instruments. In the past, students would dispose of the moisture accumulating on their instruments with little restriction; brass instrumentalists now consciously manage and dispose of the moisture in trash.

Despite the challenges of the past two years and safety measures that are still used, the school's attention is primarily drawn to the music and performances themselves. "The focus is back to the content of the music, not just the extra safeguards," said Johnson. "Rather than choosing a theme for the instrumental programs, we kept the focus on finding the best material so that students could sound and perform at their best."