2020 is destined to be a memorable year. The COVID-19 pandemic has forcefully altered our daily routines and confined us to the walls of our homes. Large venues for entertainment, along with all other “non-essential” businesses, are among the first ones to be shut down. Yet although live performances have been canceled, music has remained an “essential” part of our quarantine life. Musicians have turned to the internet, making various forms of "cloud performances" and "online live streams" some of the most popular choices for entertainment during the pandemic.

What makes music such an important part of our lives, especially in this global crisis? Music theorists and scholars believe that music has multiple functions,  including emotional expression, aesthetic appreciation, communication, symbolic representation etc. Like many others, however, my middle school self simply treated music as another form of entertainment. It was not until this pandemic that I truly realized the immense power of music in our society, and I want to share some moments that have left a deep impression on my heart.

It all started from Wuhan, where the voices of solidarity arose from the panic of isolation. After the lockdown of the city, people opened their window in various buildings to participate in a spontaneous chorus of the national anthem[1]. Music has not only become a source of comfort, but also an expression of hope and trust for our government to overcome this crisis. The video of their singing went viral on the internet, and started a new wave of “musical therapy” online. As the pandemic swept across the country, a large number of anti-pandemic songs emerged, such as "God Bless Wuhan", "Tomorrow is Still the Most Beautiful", "Love the Common People", "Angel‘s Smile.” These songs are often themed on recognizing the tremendous sacrifice of medical heroes or encouraging resilience and perseverance of everyone affected. The musical piece often anchors on a video clip that makes it even more touching for the audience[2]. For example, slow, tender music is often played with videos of empty roads on display, signaling a slowdown of the city and arousing feelings of nostalgia for the once bustling streets. 

As the pandemic looms over the globe, music as a medium of strength and hope traveled along. Among all places in Europe, Italy was one of the first countries that covid ravaged. When the lockdown came into effect, some Italian performed by the windows or on the balcony of their homes, producing “balcony concerts” that deeply touched many unsettling souls[3]. Music has gone far beyond entertainment. It has become a powerful weapon we use to defend ourselves in times of suffering, and a charitable gesture that consoles other hearts of sorrow. Rather than healing the wound or hiding it under a cover, it acknowledges the pain as something worthy of respect, and encourages us to fight on.

Music flies beyond the constraint of the physical space, and evokes a perfect harmony among strangers. I remember how much it moved me when I heard the resonant voice of Andrea Bocelli bouncing against the walls of the empty Milan Cathedral. Throughout his powerful solo concert "Music for Hope," I felt present in the same space with him, intimately connected to the singer and more than 3.4 million online audiences around the world. I gently rocked to the rhythm of the song, knowing that in this moment, we share something in common. Like the singer acknowledged in his own words: “Thanks to music, streamed live, bringing together millions of clasped hands everywhere in the world, we will hug this wounded Earth’s pulsing heart.”[4] Indeed, in his soothing yet powerful tenor voice, we no longer felt scattered or left alone to fight against our anxieties and fears. In a fraction of a second, music has snuck into our hearts and planted a tiny seed of hope.

The joy of music is contagious, inviting everyone to participate. From Broadway actors performing “cloud musical” [5] to community clubs performing “cloud chorus,” more and more people joined the online music community. In some ways, quarantine has made music less elitist by leveling the playing field. No matter whether you are a famous musician, or an amateur karaoke singer, home has become your new concert hall and recording studio. When a shiny stage is out of the question, you simply plant a camera in your home, sit behind your dressing table, hold your cute puppy on your lap and start humming your favorite tune. The line between performers and audience is blurred, and the enthusiastic listeners have often become a contributor to the virtual concert itself, as they leave passionate comments all over the live stream screen. 

The music community has shown the world how to quickly adapt yet never give in. Instead of canceling the annual "Vienna New Year Concert," this year, it was held as a live broadcast without any audience in the Vienna Golden Hall. Hundreds of millions of people watched the live broadcast on the Internet[6], and rejoiced in the celebration of a new year to come. As we continue to fight for a better and safer environment this year, let us not forget that we could always anchor on the magical power of music. Let it continue to strengthen us in times of doubts and bring us closer in times of isolation, and let us pass on its joy and hope to every corner of the world. 

[1]  bilibili.com/video/av96506839/
[2] One of them as example, the MTV of the song "Love the Common People": ixigua.com/6819170408885912077?wid_try=1  
[3] youtube.com/watch?v=QfjwWYges64
[4] youtube.com/watch?v=huTUOek4LgU
[5] youtube.com/watch?v=czhPZUb1v4U
[6] tv.cctv.com/2021/01/01/VIDEIVsqqiL8t6OjJr2cWveB210101.shtml?spm=C55953877151.PXOm6vuQzEhV.0.0