LAS CRUCES – The invention of Katelyn Zuments, a mechanical engineering student at New Mexico State University, allowed the university’s music band and others across the country to continue to bet on the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Academics were desperately looking to return,” said the group’s director, Steven Smyth, “so we had to find a way to make this activity safe. “
Members of the New Mexico Pride Band have repositioned their same old mask with a specialized face mask, with a stepped hollow where they place the instrument nozzle, joined through magnets.
“The mask is just an additional precaution to maintain content,” said Zuments, who is also a trumpeter for the New Mexico Pride March band. “Of course, it’ll be like an N95 mask, but we’re all looking to realize that back then. “
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In addition to face masks, the organization now trains outdoors on a horseshoe lawn in front of Kinson Recital Hall. Instruments such as tubas and trumpets have bell caps and rings on the ground, marking the spaces allocated to maintain social distance between players.
Face masks have also been sold to other universities, adding Oklahoma State University and the University of Massachusetts, as well as about 30 of the best schools. More than 15,000 masks were ordered, according to Smyth.
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According to an NMSU press release, a dollar from the sale of the mask is intended for musical scholarships at NMSU.
“I know that (the group) is very vital for many academics who participate, and it’s great that I was able to help make this happen, even if everything is closed,” Zuments said.
Autumn would have been a busy time for the band, however, this year, COVID-19 left the calendar open for New Mexico pride. Myth used it as an opportunity to locate new hints of functionality.
“We have a chance to pass out and do a lot of network service and network display, so that’s what we’re going to do,” Smyth said.
In cases – with the organization’s rehearsals and the preparation of sporting events – they would not have been able to experiment outside the football area and basketball court.
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The band plans to raise awareness online through concerts in farmers markets and birthday shows. He divided the ensemble into 3 groups, each betting on other genres and styles.
“It all depends on the experience. I’m a musician, but I like to play with other people more than me,” he said. “These kinds of occasions give us the opportunity to meet (and) attend occasions. “that we wouldn’t have attended. “
As a music student, it is vital for Vigil to continue practicing with the band. This not only adds to your student life on campus, but is also a pleasure for your resume.
In March, Apollo Armendáriz, a sophore, feared not to play the year, however, he hoped that the music branch would find a way to give scholars a sense of normalcy.
“He’s going to unite other people, I think, ” said Armendáriz, who plays the trumpet. “This will give other people something to do, anything they desperately want right now. “
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For Smyth, the organization has to do with the delight of the students. This may be just a learning delight for music students, but for other students, it’s a vital school activity.
“The other academics who are concerned in the band and who are not primary music, which is primary, is an activity for them,” Smyth said. “It’s a possibility to get away from the computer screen, a chance to get away from conferences. “
Athina Perea, a British primary, has to withdraw from the organization this year because she suffers from an autoimmune disease.
“There wasn’t enough data to feel me go home, ” said Perea.
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The biggest challenge for Perea is the other two hundred people who are part of the band and don’t know if they adhere to CDC guidelines. However, the sophomore is disappointed that he cannot be part of the band at this time. Year.
“It’s very disturbing, because the band is a way for me to express my emotions and have something to do at school, but it’s also a laugh,” Perea said. “It’s hard to see the other people I’ve been with. band laughing and doing all that. “
Veronica Martinez is an immigration journalist for Las Cruces Sun-News, and she can be vmartinez@lcsun-news. com or vamartinez10 on Twitter.