The much-anticipated return to the rehearsal room began long before the first downbeat. While Andrea, ESYO's music librarian, worked to print and prepare music packets, conductors and musicians in all thirteen ESYO ensembles "wood shopped" their part at home, shaping and trimming their piece of the masterpiece. Google Classroom, a silver lining from the early days of the pandemic, made it easier to distribute parts, share bowings and rehearsal notes, as well as prepare for seating auditions. COVID-19 continues to challenge ESYO musicians and conductors in unimaginable ways. But, despite face masks, specialized PPE, and physical distancing, the 2021-2022 season is marked by a returning sense of normalcy.