By Breonna Zapiain

Reporter 

Amidst the pandemic, activities within the Performing Arts came to a screeching halt, but thanks to efforts to fight Covid-19, performances and opportunities are making their way back. This Fall 2021 semester performances for music, choir, and theater are being scheduled and classes are open for students who wish to be involved. 

Bakersfield College professor Dr. Jennifer Garrett shared information about upcoming performances for BC Choir/Chorus: “The concert is entitled, “All Hallows’ Eve” and will walk through the history of the Halloween holiday”, the concerts will be Oct. 27-28 in the Indoor Theatre at 7:20 p.m. each night with tickets going on sale in Oct. It is recommended to get your tickets in advance as they are expected to go quickly. At the end of the semester, on Friday, December 10th at 7:30 p.m. in the Indoor Theater the concert “A Childhood Whimsy” will be performed. 

The Choral Ensemble at BC is hopeful that more students will join them, the College Choir meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 1 pm to 2:25 pm, Renegade Chorus meets Thursdays from 4:10 p.m. to 7:20 p.m. and Chamber Singers meets Mondays from 6 pm to 10:05 p.m. 

BC Professor Josh Ottum shared information on the Panorama Creative Music Summit this year that will be “Sept. 20-22 with Jon Wood and Jenny Schienmen and Sept. 27-29 with Jeff Parker. Events will be free and documented digitally.” The Panorama Creative Music Summit will include performances from local and visiting artists, as well as Bakersfield College students, staff, and alumni. There will be original music and will display different creative approaches in the music community.  According to the Bakersfield College website, “Rounding out the program will be Bakersfield College Commercial Music professor Josh Ottum with his trio, and new works presented by student songwriters from the Commercial Music Program”. Additionally, there are classes this Fall semester and upcoming semesters that are offered for the Commercial Music Certificate of Achievement.

In an email sent out by BC professor Brian Sivesind, auditions for the 37th Kern Shakespeare Festival have been held to prepare for the upcoming festival performances from Oct. 1st to the 9th. The productions being performed are “Macbeth, directed by Brian Sivesind, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by Cody Ganger”. All recommended covid-19 protocols will be followed during these times. Theatre courses are being offered during the fall semester, THEA B28 (Tech Lab), THEA B12a (Intro to Shakespeare), THEA 14 (Introduction to Stage Costume) are all classes that are open for enrollment to those interested.