Watcha Gonna Do?

Help for the Homebound – That’s you and me, pal.

Well, It’s been a little more than two weeks since I moved my lessons to the Zoom platform and started practicing Social Distancing. In that time, I’ve learned a few things about teaching remotely. I’ve also learned a few things about myself.

I’ve seen the good nature, compassion and helpfulness emerge in our communities all over the world. Perhaps we local citizens have been inspired by the scenes of Italian citizens singing and playing from their balconies as well as those amazing Italian police who gave impromptu concerts in neighborhoods to bolster the citizens who were confined to their homes.

Here is a list of just some of the good that people are sharing online, to boost our moods and help keep us sane.

• Oregon Symphony Minute for Music
• Jazz at Lincoln Center is offering many of their concerts for your enjoyment and education. They are putting the spotlight on women during March, Women In Jazz Month. Check out Radio Shows. Jazz Academy is a great place to learn about America’s art form.

• Harry Watters has created a Social Distancing Warmup Series. Check out his YouTube channel. He is a trombonist and all instrumentalists will benefit from these studies.
• Verizon is streaming Pay it Forward LIVE concerts. The first was Dave Matthews. For some reason this link starts the concert at 45 minutes in when you press play. But you can “rewind”. 😉
• The United States Army Field Band is in week two of their Virtual Concert Series.

• The University of Oklahoma Wind Symphony performed a sort of flash mob style performance of Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral by Ricard Wagner. Recorded Feb. 26, 2020. This is a much beloved work for Wind Ensemble.

• Perfect for a Sunday afternoon, Lux Aeterna by Edward Elgar performed by VOCES8. Or listen to their music on Soundcloud.
• If you’re feeling geeky and want to learn about transcribing early notation into easier to read modern notation, check out this Facebook Live event from Sunday morning: FB Live – Sheet Music Editing #livefromhome with Jonathan Pacey, of VOCES8.
• Woodwind Brasswind has compiled a page of Livestream events which they are updating regularly.
• For a little levity, how about Neil Diamond singing Sweet Caroline – with a little change to the lyric.

I know I have barely scratched the surface of what musical entertainment there is out there. Please share your finds with me so I can add to this list.

I’ll close with the Pandemic Medley from Lisa Koch. The songs will be familiar to you. Lyrics changed to fit the times.