This selection is from the latest recording of Infusion Baroque. I was on tour in Florida with this ensemble when the WHO declared COVID 19 a world-wide pandemic. I think we will all remember where we were that day when everything changed. Being away from home while this was happening was particularly stressful. Everything became uncertain, from whether our concerts would be able to go on as scheduled, to what life would be like when we got home and had to go into self-isolation. By some miracle, each of our performances went on, and each venue we played at closed to the public right after our concerts. Even though at times it was hard to get into “performance mode,” I’m glad we did, because each concert became a respite from everything else that was going on, a few hours of normalcy during very abnormal times. I’m also grateful to have been in the company of such good friends and colleagues, who maintained the highest level of professionalism throughout a very difficult and uncertain time.
The COVID 19 pandemic has been devastating for those of us in the performing arts. The spring season is always a busy time, trying to balance rehearsals, concerts, and teaching lessons. However, I, like so many others, are now at home, weathering the storm, not knowing when we will be able to work again or if we’ll be able to pay the bills in the coming weeks or months. We know musicians are not the only ones suffering, and it is hard to fathom the vast implications this pandemic will have on our communities. However, we are all in this together. I know we all look forward to making music together again some day.
