Mira Costa music students have been in a distance learning format since the beginning of the school year. Even though they have not been allowed to play their instruments together,  Carlson, the music coaches, and the students have gone all-out to create a fun and memorable concert recording.

In addition to offering the same in-depth, nuanced music instruction the program is known for, the concert will feature special audio recording, production, and remote performance skils that students have had to learn over the past few months.

The new experience gave students a greater opportunity to connect with their own creativity, noted Mara McPhee, a Mira Costa Band Booster leader and parent of two Mira Costa Band students. It allowed them experienced music making in small ensembles as well as contributing to traditional large-ensemble performances using cutting-edge digital recording and audio production techniques.

For Marching Band and Colorguard, the season was reimagined both in terms of content and schedule. Using “blue screen” filming techniques and cutting-edge audio recording and production, students participated in advanced virtual performance, culminating in an immersive digital show. These same techniques were used to create the pieces recorded by the different bands for the winter concert.

"It has been a joy to see the Mira Costa Bands return to the Mira Costa stage together with music that has been rehearsed, recorded and filmed from their remote locations around town," said Carlson. "The bands have already attended a virtual festival earlier this semester earning high marks from the adjudicators as well as receiving their excellent commentary, which we brought back into rehearsal to bring our audience an even better performance at the concert."

(Here you can view a preview of the marching band and colorguard performance for the WBA Virtual Festival in November.)

More information about the concert can be found on the bands' website: Mira Costa Bands Winter Concert.