Wrangell Public School District Digital Christmas Concert

The young musicians of Wrangell Public School District (WPSD), along with their teacher Ms. Tasha Morse, have shown us that even apart, beautiful music can be made.  

Ms. Morse, who teaches music at Evergreen Elementary, Stikine Middle School, and Wrangell High School, stepped into completely new territory as this educator took on the massive task of not only teaching and conducting students but also editing and producing WPSD’s first Digital Christmas Concert.   

“The Christmas Concert was a labor of love,” says Ms. Morse, “It took a lot of time (a little over 100 hours) to polish audio, stitch videos, and sync everything together.” Students recorded and shared videos of themselves singing and playing instruments, sometimes at home, sometimes in a nearly deserted music room, and piece by piece Ms. Morse aligned them all to be as balanced as possible. “I personally learned a TON about audio and video editing,” Ms. Morse shared, “I also learned how to get a synchronization license from publishers, and how to be REALLY specific with instructions to kids when we are sharing a common goal.” 

This venture into something new and challenging impacted students as well. “It was a huge learning curve for my middle and high school kids, (some had the wrong “sync audio” to work with) but we made it work. The “full” band at the middle school level has never met as a full band this year. Only in their “A” “B” “C” day pods.”   

Ms. Morse also taught a first-ever mixed group of elementary choir students (K-5) on Zoom meetings that occurred outside of the scheduled school days and recognized the instrumental role parents’ played in helping students record and submit videos.   

The result is a beautiful piece of work displaying heart, dedication, and a love of music and community that will weather any circumstance. 

“If I had to do it over again, I would in a heartbeat, as this was for the students and community.” 

Thank you, Ms. Tasha Morse, for continuing to orchestrate a quality music education to the students of Wrangell, while conducting and producing something truly incredible and uplifting. Happy Holidays!