Watch Kids' Reviews of
THIS TIME ROUND

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This Time Round is an extraordinary collection of choral compositions sung by the Young People's Chorus of NYC during the COVID pandemic. The film follows the emotional journeys of students, their parents and teachers, who rehearsed their vocals on zoom calls. Students tell their personal stories from their isolation at home, sometimes not knowing if their care-taking parents would come home from work that night. The most magnificent thing about this film is the choral compositions that underscore the film.

As an educator, composer and filmmaker myself, I was surprised that This Time Round is underscored primarily with a children's choir and that the compositions were written for the Young People's Chorus of New York City during the pandemic. Not only is the music haunting and sweet, but the cinematography is intimate and beautifully captures the emotions of the cast, often without narration. The interviews with composers and students reveal how they grieve for their circumstances and long for friends, family and the community that they seem to have lost. But the story takes many turns and, through the sadness, the joy, and the chaos, a resilience of human spirit shines throughout. Children experienced the pandemic will certainly relate to this film. A yearning is evoked from the songs and the cinematographer's images, thus, the audience will be pulled into these elements as it weaves together sounds and images.

The pace is slow, yet engaging. As kids speak of their experiences, there is a grounding that makes the unusual structure enjoyable. It's formatted in chapters, each about a song's length in time. This short format works well for the zoom singers! Anyone who experienced the pandemic will understand the film's intent. The sophistication of the music will undoubtedly have an effect on the audience, and I imagine that its suitability will be entirely subjective, based on personal musical tastes and how connected viewers feel about their personal pandemic experiences. The scenes are from everyday life -- natural flowing images while walking down the street, waiting under the portal, hiding out behind a wall, and similar. There are no sets except for some interviews. The stories are vivid and raw and the direction from Sawyer and Nunez enriches the storytelling from this time in their lives. Fifteen composers were commissioned for this film and this is an assemblage of masterpieces. Note that the chapters are based on compositions and only a simple title page is shown between chapters, such as "One Year Later."

This Time Round exposes its audience to choir music, which is a rare thing in this age of pop music and fast, frenzied musical scores interspersed with sound effects. Choral music contributes and expands a child's education, although there is research showing that people tend to only like the music that they have heard and are used to. The impact of the pandemic on children's mental health should not be underestimated and music is one of the most powerful ways in which we can bring healing and solace to each other in our chaotic and stressful world.

I give This Time Round 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. By Nancy K., KIDS FIRST!

Amidst the backdrop of a pandemic-stricken New York City, witness the unwavering passion and determination of a youth chorus as they strive to keep their art alive against all odds. Through poignant storytelling and original music from key contemporary composers, this documentary captures the resilience, creativity, and indomitable spirit of a generation of young musicians, navigating through unprecedented times, proving that even in the darkest moments, music has the power to unite, heal, and inspire.