WAKE FOREST — In-person performances took a hit due to COVID-19, but music teacher Barina Bailey wanted to do something about that for Heritage Elementary School.
Bailey explored options and came up with a plan to hold a pair of virtual performances in December and April while restrictions were put into place.
“During the first half of the year, you had to stay with kids in class all day long and weren’t allowed to mix,” Bailey said. “I realized that we couldn’t be on stage together or have an audience, but I didn’t want them to miss out on an opportunity. I brainstormed and reached out to parents to see if they could videotape the program and went from there.”
Clint McCaskill and Karen McCreary both volunteered to edit, giving family and friends the opportunity to enjoy the shows. The kindergarten and fifth-grade classes had performances in December, and the third-graders along with the Honors choir did something in April. 
Still, there were some additional roadblocks, especially early on.
“We were able to use the gym, but we were still social distancing in the fall and couldn’t be together for more than 15 minutes,” Bailey said. “When filming, we were able to be on the risers for about 12 to 13 minutes, come off, then spread out in the gym before getting back to work.”
Bailey said there were also mask restrictions in the fall as well.
“During the holiday program, everyone had to wear masks and it does affect your sound,” Bailey said. “Even though we had hanging microphones, it was difficult, but the kids did a tremendous job.”
The performances were available to view through Google Meet several times to give parents, family members and friends ample time to see their loved ones perform. Colton McCreary, a third-grader at Heritage, said he got the opportunity to help his mother edit the film and said it wasn’t an easy task.
“It took almost a day to do,” McCreary said. “It was really cool though, editing the show and being on stage.”
Fifth-grader J.J. McCaskill said putting everything together wasn’t easy, but it was a fun experience. 
“We practiced a lot for the show, and my dad set up a lot of cameras for it,” McCaskill said. “I didn’t know how it worked, but it came out great.”
In the winter performances, 70 kindergarten students and 75 fifth-graders participated. Seventy-five third-graders performed in the spring, along with the 29 members of the Heritage Choir — all fifth-graders. 
Although the fifth graders couldn’t interact as much with the kindergarteners due to COVID-19 restrictions, the younger students left a strong impact.
“I’ve been at this school since kindergarten and remember looking up at the fifth graders,” Natalie Meyer said. “Now that I am one, I want the kindergarteners to watch the full performance and say ‘I want to be like them one day.’ It was a very hectic experience, but seeing it all come together was amazing.” 
Meyer is one of four State Honors Chorus members at Heritage Elementary, along with Mellyne Mogire, Natalie Mroz and Skyla Ocean. The quartet are also part of the Heritage Honors Choir, which required another layer of commitment for those involved.
“They would practice before school three days a week from January through April,” Bailey said. “They performed several times, including Meymandi Hall at the Raleigh Fine Arts Choral Festival and Heritage Middle School with the middle and high school choirs.”
Honors Chorus members all had the opportunity to audition for the State Choir, and four were selected from Heritage Elementary. The quartet couldn’t travel due to COVID restrictions, but relished the honor and were appreciative for Bailey’s guidance.
“Ms. Bailey always helped us whenever we weren’t able to get the right note or needed help with a song,” Ocean said. “It’s amazing how she always did that.”
As restrictions lessen, Bailey said the plan is to have a regular show in the fall.
“We’re grateful for the parents who could help during a difficult time, but we’ll try to have in-person concerts this year,” she said.