Music is the Glue, Even if 8 Feet Apart

COVID—19 has presented real challenges for me, my beloved Longmont Symphony Orchestra, and for virtually every orchestra as well as freelance musicians across the globe. As the uncertainty of continuing with our season performances has rocked our institutions, and as countless exceptionally gifted musicians see their paid performance opportunities evaporating like never before, I am reminded of how our daily routines of individual music practice can help us maintain our sanity. 

While music can be the glue that connects people (even while standing 6 — 8 feet apart), it can also be a steadfast friend that helps us as individuals as we navigate challenging situations in our lives. It is my hope that our individual music practice not only helps us during this time, but that we find creative ways to share our art in the new paradigm that we find ourselves living in.  

Sharing the gift of music is an affirmation of what is beautiful in the world and expresses the greatness of the human spirit and our ingenuity as creative beings. We have been presented with a challenge, but obstacles are often opportunities. I do not doubt that we will all persevere in finding creative artistic responses that lift up and touch people's lives in new and meaningful ways, and I look forward to observing the ingenuity that artists find as they continue to share their passion for music and art with a world that still needs them!