Sound Resources

Volume IV - May 18, 2020

Turning to Music for Relief in Quarantine

Adam Chester’s “Quaranchella” concerts bring the joy of live music to neighbors every Saturday - Elton John’s rehearsal surrogate Adam Chester plays a weekly gig for neighbors in suburban LA.

Sales of Musical Instruments & Production Software Skyrocket - Online sales of guitars, keyboards, ukuleles, and other instruments are booming with millions of people taking up instruments and music production while under quarantine. Could this unprecedented situation lead to a new musical renaissance?

Virtual Performances Provide Mental Relief to Choir Members & Listeners - Members of a local choir have turned to virtual performances to keep the music going during quarantine, providing comfort and relief from isolation through song. 

Music Provides Stress Reduction & Wellness 

Virtual Performances Provide Mental Relief to Choir Members & Listeners - Members of a local choir have turned to virtual performances to keep the music going during quarantine, providing comfort and relief from isolation through song. 

Music Can Help Ease Stress During Coronavirus - This blog post from AdventHealth highlights some easy ways to reduce stress by listening to music on a daily basis and how useful music is at a time like this.

Support Artists & Venues

Stay Home, Spread Love & Support - There are many ways to support artists, musicians, and venues during these difficult times despite the cancellation of tours and concerts due to COVID-19, whether through donations, following on social media, or tuning in to live-streamed performances.

Creative Ways Artists Keep The Music Going - An interesting look at how musical artists have creatively adapted to keep the industry afloat, create new music, and connect with fans in meaningful ways despite the current circumstances. 

Benefits of Voice Tech in Quarantine

How Voice-Assisted Technology Could Make a Big Difference During COVID-19 - An interesting look at six ways that Google Assistant and Alexa could make users lives easier as they adapt to current circumstances.

Smart Speakers Can Ease Feelings of Isolation - Several ways that voice-assisted technology can help to ease feelings of isolation and loneliness under quarantine, from helping to connect with loved ones to playing games.

“All Together Now”  (May 13) OK Go has released a new song in honor of the health care heroes fighting the COVID-19 pandemic with an official music video featuring the band recording the track in their separate homes over the past two months while quarantined. The track was inspired by the nightly cheer for essential workers and lead singer Damian Kulash’s own experience with the virus and is available to download here, with all profits going to Partners In Health.

Queen+ (May 15th) The band will hold a special YouTube screening of The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert from 1992 to benefit the  COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organization. The concert will screen live for 48 hours beginning Friday at 2 PM EST on YouTube.

#TheNewGig (May 14) - The Jazz Foundation of America will stream the COVID-19 Musician’s Emergency Fund relief concert live at 8pm ET. The event will be hosted by comedian Keegan-Michael Key and include performances by Sheryl Crow, Elvis Costello, and others along with archival performances from Herbie Hancock and the Count Basie Orchestra.

Josh Groban “Live at the Greek” (May 28) Join Josh Groban at 8 pm ET for this installment of his “movie nights,” in which the singer screens concert footage and hosts a live-streamed Q&A with fans via YouTube.

The Berlin Phil Series: Berlin Phil Brass (May 16) - The brass section of the Berliner Philharmoniker will be joined by the young star organist Sebastian Heindl a for a live-streamed musical performance at 1pm ET. 

Opera For Kids (May 16) - Albert’s Band baritone Maciek O’Shea will perform live opera classics by Mozart, Handel and more as part of the Royal Albert Home sessions. Join Maciek via YouTube at 2pm PT. 

A Night Of Covenant House Stars (May 18) Meryl Streep, Dolly Parton, Jon Bon Jovi, and other stars will perform to benefit the Covenant House charity for at-risk youth at 8pm via the new streaming service Broadway on Demand. 

Safe and Sound (May 19) Grouplove, Matt Berninger of the National, Aloe Blacc and other artists will perform during a virtual benefit concert for Safe Place for Youth at 8pm ET. Virtual attendees receive a link to stream the concert by RSVP’ing here.

Red Nose Day (May 21) NBCUniversal will host 3-hours of programming starting at 8pm ET to fight child poverty, including musical performances by James Tyler, Sam Smith, Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, OneRepublic, Ellie Goulding and more. 

Movement At Home (May 23-25) The Movement Electronic Music Festival will stream live via Twitch, Facebook, and YouTube during Memorial Day weekend and raise funds to benefit the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund.

National Memory Day Concert (May 24) The National Symphony Orchestra will perform live via Facebook, YouTube, and PBS at 8pm to honor military members, veterans, and frontline workers The event will feature performances by the US Army Herald Trumpets. The Soldiers’ Chorus of the United States Army Field Band, The US Army Chorus, and more.