It only takes 10 minutes of scrolling through social media platforms to recognize that musicians are still creating during quarantine. Whether it’s in the Colorado Symphony’s virtual performance of “Ode to Joy” or Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande’s recent quarantine-themed music video, musical artists are finding time to create remotely and virtually.
DU’s Lamont School of Music is no exception.
As part of Lamont’s tri-quarterly convocation series, the school hosted a virtual “Live from Lamont” convocation on May 8. The program featured multiple student and faculty projects that have been created or completed during COVID-19 quarantine and stay-at-home orders.
The Lamont Vocal Jazztet ensemble kicked off the show with “Outras Palavras,” a Caetano Veloso track arranged by freshman vocal student Ruby Pucillo. With all the vocalists and instrumentalists arranged into their separate video boxes, the group produced a virtual music video for a song recorded entirely remotely.
The Lamont community offered palpable support throughout the program. After every performance, the presenters were met with silent—or, quite loud—applause. Everyone used the chat screen in Zoom to express sentiments like “Collaboration goals,” “Beautiful song, stunning performance!” and “THIS IS SO COOL” during a performance while it was shared over the screen.
From the classical department, Zoe Spangler sang “Oh quante volte” with Lamont faculty pianist Sahar Nouri. Lydia Yu, classical pianist, also performed a Rachmaninoff etude and violinist Emma Womack played a video of herself performing Pable de Sarasate’s “Zigeunerweisen.”
Camila Vaitaitis, a graduate jazz composition major, also showcased a quarantine tune from her DU-based band, Specific Ocean. Their jazzy, lo-fi cover of Smash Mouth’s hit “All Star” was a top 10 finalist for 303 Magazine’s recent Cover Challenge.
Recording and production professor Michael Shulze also got in on the action. Shulze has devoted years of his life working on cutting-edge sensor technology that creates AI sound when performers on stage move. Schulze also trains AI to be a band member on its own.
Schulze displayed a video of his collaboration with the Boulder Ballet. By attaching sensors to the dancers, his software is able to create music based on the movements of the dancers.
From AI technology to opera arias, “Live from Lamont” proved to echo the motto “Lamont Strong,” a new pandemic slogan developed by Lamont now being sold as T-shirts, water bottles and stickers.
“One of the things that this hour has reminded me is that it’s not only the great things we have done but that we are doing,” said Lamont director Keith Ward. “While we are right now in a situation where we are physically isolated… we belong to something that we are creating, and we heard today of so many great things being created.”
Looking for some music in your life? The Lamont School of Music performances are cancelled until June 5, but be sure to keep updated with the school’s website for all updates and potential performances in the summer.
