Making great music to help in healing the wounds of pandemic
This year’s Make Music Day celebrated the return of live performances after a year ravaged by the effects of coronavirus, Mike Ritchie reports
WHETHER it be banging a drum, blowing a horn or singing at the top of your voice, music in all its forms can bring joy and comfort, inspiration and wonder.
From the lyrics and melodies from solo singer/songwriters to the soaring sounds of a full orchestra or massed pipe bands, music can lift moods and ease stress whenever it is played, or wherever it is listened to.
Yesterday, the spotlight was on Make Music Day, trumpeted as the world’s biggest grassroots DIY music festival, which encouraged musicians, producers, promoters and music lovers to collaborate and organise in-person and online performances in their communities.
The event held yesterday first came to the UK 10 years ago and last year, in the depths of the Covid-19 pandemic, and despite the challenges of social distancing, a total of 1,739 free live and online performances took place nationwide, involving 11,162 performers who brought inspiring musical experiences to almost
532,000 people.
The UK’S largest, single-day music festival is also part a global celebration of music taking place in more than 125 countries.
Traditionally, it involves performers, venues, event organisers, volunteers and supporters undertaking performances in a full range of musical styles and in a variety of venues. Anywhere, it seems, can host a music session – libraries, hospitals, schools, town squares, train stations, parks, shopping centres, pubs, cafes and traditional gig venues, even in people’s own driveways and gardens.
Music ambassadors for the day included the internationally-acclaimed Scottish violinist, Nicola Benedetti CBE and the MG ALBA Scots Singer of the Year 2018, Iona Fyfe.
Speaking before the event, both said they couldn’t wait for the day to come.
“I wholeheartedly support Make Music Day,” said Benedetti.
“It’s a truly global music event that encourages everyone to find their creativity, be it as a performer or listener and to share in the joy of making and appreciating great music.”
And this enthusiasm was echoed by folk singer Fyfe, winner of the Scots Performer of the Year Award in the Scots Language Awards 2020, who said: “I’m delighted to support this special festival.
“Music transcends generation, background, class, language barriers and more.
“Make Music Day brings people together and allows communities to connect, even virtually at a time when many people are struggling with isolation and loneliness.
“It is inclusive and widens access to music making all over the UK.”
In Scotland, events included the launch of a new film and song by asylum seeking and refugee musicians, Musicians in Exile, in association with The Glasgow Barons, who are Artists in Residence in Govan.
Live Music Now had live concerts outdoors and online for care home residents and Hands Up for Trad broadcast live traditional music performances from Scotland and around the world with fiddler Ellie Mclaren and singer Ellie Beaton among those performing.
Scottish youth bands and choirs took part in the Music Education Partnership Group’s online concert and in the Singing Glee School Challenge, where children across the country learned to sign the classic and official song for the day, Stand By Me, and connect via livestream for a simultaneous performance.
Scottish Making Music members celebrated the return to live music at Mugdock Park bandstand in East Dunbartonshire, while in Edinburgh, the Syncopate digital concert, organised by Reel Youth Media, showcased young performers in musicmaking activities across the capital’s 23 secondary schools and 88 primary schools.
“There are even more reasons to get involved in Make Music Day this year when Covid-19 has shown us how much music can help and heal,” said Barbara Eifler, chair of Make Music Day UK.
“As we look forward to a gradually post-pandemic world, celebrating Make Music Day seems a particularly fitting way of bringing our communities together again after months of isolation, pain and loss.
“Of course, it’s not yet all over – but the resilience of this celebration is that it can be online or offline and speak to millions of people, and also connect us to musicians across the world.”
A network of around 100 partner organisations and supporters were behind the event with Creative Scotland, the Incorporated Society of Musicians, the International Association of Music Libraries, Music for All and the Musicians Union among them.
“It doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking, it’s just a party, however large or small, in celebration of music – what’s not to love?” said Ms Eifler.
Covid-19 has shown us how much music can help and heal