During the last year, many of us have spent so much time in virtual meetings that we have gotten awfully tired of them. Few people find pleasure in seeing themselves squelched into one little box on a computer screen that is chock full of them.
But would you be surprised to discover that those video meeting formats can be the delivery medium for beautiful musical performances?
That is exactly what a young pianist/producer named Harrison Sheckler has done and the performances that result are so beguiling, we wanted to share them with you.
Harrison is currently working toward a Master’s in piano performance at Brooklyn College, where he is studying with our good friend Professor Jeffrey Biegel. Music is clearly the air that Harrison breathes. He has accompanied instrumentalists, choruses and singers as important as Simon Estes. Plus, HalidonMusic label has just released his new CD, featuring his performances of solo piano works by Debussy, Elgar, Ravel, and other composers.
And now, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Harrison is creating remarkable videos of group music-making using a video meeting format that allows singers and instrumentalists and singers to take part, from their own homes. The result? He has created recordings by virtual choruses, accompanied by virtual orchestras.
The results are quite something.
Just Watch
In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, 300 people from 15 different countries came together to participate in this virtual rendition of the song “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, Carousel.
We think this virtual performance is beautiful and inspiring, and we believe you will agree. It is a song we all need to hear right about now.
And now, let’s have some fun as we watch Harrison’s virtual performance of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” If you are a baseball fan, be sure to keep your eyes open. You will see cameo appearances by MLB pros who include Aristides Aquino (Cincinnati Reds), Bret Saberhagen (former Royals pitcher and Cy Young Award Winner), Bronson Arroyo (Arizona Diamondbacks and other teams), Ryan Dempster (Chicago Cubs and other teams), and others.
Who Says Video Meetings Can’t Be Beautiful?
In the hands of a creative person like Harrison Sheckler, they really are. They lift our spirits and remind us that brighter and happier times lie just ahead.
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