This past Sunday I had a freelance video gig filling in for a friend of mine who usually does this. It was for Civic Morning Musicals, which according to their website, “exists to support classically trained musicians and their audiences throughout the Central New York region.” CMM was founded in 1890!
The shoot was at the beautiful Storer Auditorium at OCC. Three musicians, piano, cello and vocalist, performed some classical pieces as well as some popular tunes. It was the first time I had heard live music in, well, I can’t remember when.
They played beautifully, splendidly, movingly. My musical tastes are very diverse and I enjoyed each and every piece they performed. If not only for the beauty of the music but also for their wonderful musicianship.
At first I was comforted with having been able to experience that but then it was sadness for all we have lost over the last year. The only people in the auditorium were the musicians, myself, the audio engineer and the person who coordinates these virtual concerts. The shared experience of hearing music, live, was only singularly enjoyed. It was yet one more reminder on how the pandemic has infiltrated our lives.
I really did not want to write yet another dreary covid blog post, I really didn’t. But the music I heard last weekend was uplifting and gave me the hope that perhaps the end is near when we can return to normal.
Let’s not screw this up.
I want normal again. I want to see my children in California. I want to sit at a bar, have a beer and watch a ball game. I want to hear music performed by musicians I see right before me, playing with all of their learned musicianship and passion and I’m willing to do what I have to do to make that happen. Who’s with me?