The first thing I thought when I left my university was "What are my classes going to be like if I cannot come back?". My choir, band, piano, guitar classes, my voice lessons- are going to be entirely and totally different. It's just not going to be the same. Along with my big music theory final, my biggest vocal jury yet, and my piano proficiency exam. Everyone was so scared that this was going to happen.

I can no longer make amazing and beautiful music every day with my women's choir, or my concert band. We cannot prepare for our concerts or our festivals that we were going to play and sing for. I cannot see my friends for my singing diction and music theory courses. They are my people, and I have gone from seeing them for many hours every single day to not at all, being miles away. It hurts my heart. And I know that's not just for music majors, and my heart hurts for everyone going through this.

I don't wake up at 6:30 in the morning for my 8am classes. Nowadays I wake up around 11 and go to sleep around 2 or 3 am! I know, not so good. Part of me loves not having to wake up so early, but the other half would give anything to see the morning sky, sit in traffic, and scurry into the music building so I'm not late. I would give anything to walk into my piano class scared as hell not knowing how I would do. I would give anything to sit in my guitar class and listen to things I already know, not that I minded anyway. I would do anything to see my professors again, no matter how much work they wanted to give me.

To all the graduating seniors, I am so very sorry that you cannot perform your senior recitals. I know that you have busted your tail to make sure that you had your music memorized, sounding perfect, and feeling confident. Know that your friends and family were so excited to see and hear you!

And to every music student reading this: I hope that you know just how special and amazing you are and that this is definitely not the end of your music career! Keep working hard, keep practicing, wash your hands, and take care of your instruments (yes, even you, fellow vocalists!).