KANSAS CITY, Mo. — No matter the instrument, members of the Kansas City Symphony play on as their symphony performance schedule is postponed into 2021 during the pandemic.
They're not performing, but teaching their students.
"There’s a really noticeable brightening when they come on the screen when you see them each week," said cellist Allen Probus between offering pointers with his student, Kiersten Leeper.
The musicians conduct virtual lessons via Zoom and FaceTime, seeing and hearing improvement.
"They’re actually practicing more, which is strange. It’s weird. I think they’re very bored," said bass trombonist Adam Rainey, who was teaching his student, Nick Bergman, when 41 Action News sat in on their lesson.
The sessions make the musicians better, too.
"Teaching is always something that’s helped keep me sharp," Probus said.
"When all this happened, I realized I had to use my words a bit better, and be a bit more patient," Rainey added.
For 30 minutes or an hour, everything feels, and sounds, as it should.
"There’s definitely a connection you can keep through that. One of the reasons I love teaching is people," Probus said. "Having a ministry in people’s lives, I just love that."
The concerts may be on pause, but the Symphony's musicians have picked up the baton, teaching and playing the right notes. For more information about lessons, you can head to their website.
