CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Middle and high school band practice looks quite different in the era of COVID-19.

Ben Mitchell is a sixth grader at the Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy. This school year is quite different. All of his classes are online, including band.

“I do think that everyone is trying to make virtual band the best that it can be,” Mitchell said.

Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy music teacher Dr. Donald Morris said it has not been easy. There have been technical issues with sound and audio delays.

“There is a delay on the Zoom, so there have definitely been challenges, and it keeps my creative juices flowing,” Morris said. “I find myself laughing a lot so I don’t cry.”

He has figured out a system. Morris said they’re not really playing as a band because that doesn’t work well virtually. Instead he has them all play individually, and the goal is to have that recorded at the end as part of a larger piece. He gave the example of how the U.S. Marine Band played.

“They have this really phenomenal virtual performance where there is a saxophone playing standing in his living room and there is a trombone player in a park somewhere,” Morris said.

Mitchell says it's still not quite the same as the collective band together.

“There is this feeling that you get when you are playing in-person and you can’t really get that over Zoom,” Mitchell said.

It’s why Morris hasn’t given up hope on an in-person concert. They have held some hybrid classes where a few students come to play together outside.

“We are just keeping our fingers crossed and waiting to see what transpires,” Morris said.