Recently, a choir group at and around Venango County High School joined together to create a socially distanced choir video. 

The song selection, "Seasons of Love", from the musical Rent, was chosen as a hope to bring happiness to the community during the pandemic. 

But, it also gave hope for something else: a way for music and singing to happen this school year. 

Students were socially distanced, each member six feet apart, and masks were worn throughout the video. 

Ashleigh Morrison, who cam up with the idea, said it wasn't easy to adjust compared to normal rehearsals, but believes it's possible to do something along these lines for other choirs.

"You have to understand all these rules and regulations, and having to wear masks and focus on your breathing is key, so you make sure you're not going to pass out or anything", said Morrison. 

Ben Hoover, choir member, agrees. " It's going to take innovations like that (having everyone standing around a 360 camera), or having everyone learn to sing in a straight line" Hoover said. "Which, for a choir is not ideal, because you can only hear the person on your right and person on your left and not everyone. 

Other students worry that music programs are being overlooked during the pandemic. 

"Everyone's super worried about how schools going to work and if sports are going to be able to happen, which is a good concern", said Alyssa Wright, choir student. "But people are pushing musicals to the side". 

And this year could prove to be a financial concern for several music programs. Schools may already be over budget in preparation for purchasing safety materials. 

"Art programs, in general, are usually in jeopardy", said Hoover. "When it comes to budget cuts, our programs are usually the first that get cut".

This means for choir directors, like Sarah Gilbert at Franklin High School, making sure everything is budgeted correctly will be key. 

"I think it's in [directors] nature to sort of work with what we have, and be able to think outside of the box, to find opportunities", Gilbert says.

Gilbert plans to have her choirs sing outside when the weather is nice, then move to the auditorium once the cold sets in. Masks will be worn in each instance. 

It all is part of a decision as to whether programs should continue this school year or not as the pandemic continues. 

This story was supported by the Economic Hardship Reporting Project.