Live Again: Music is in the air after a year of silence Ken Glickman When Spanish-born Octavio Mas-Arocas first came to Michigan State University last July to head up the College of Music’s orchestra program, he was a bit disappointed. How does a young, passionate conductor begin breathing fire into his orchestra if there is no orchestra to lead? Covid restrictions put a huge damper on his plans. “It was very frustrating for every single person in the program. During the first semester it was not possible to meet with the musicians. How can you conduct an orchestra online? We brought in guest artists for master classes and I taught conducting students – all online.”