A Musician's Guide to COVID-19
Updated: Apr 19, 2021
Opera Offstage Community,
We just wanted to take a moment to recognize that this is a scary, frustrating, and difficult time for a lot of people. Schools are closed, shows are cancelled, some people have been kicked out of their dorms, and some people have serious health concerns either for their own health or that of their loved ones.
This week we shared a podcast episode called, A Musician's Guide to COVID-19, which we hope brings insight, clarity and hope to the situation. In this episode we interview some music students and faculty that have been affected by the closures and their perspectives offer a lot of positivity! We also offer an overview of different resources available to artists in addition to job tips on successfully switching to remote teaching. At the end of the episode we give some examples of productive things musicians can do while practicing social distancing! Listen to the episode here.
We will continue to update this guide we find more resources that may help this community. Please feel free to reach out to us over Instagram, Facebook, or using this form if you have any resources we can add to the list! And of course, be sure to share this resource so everyone can benefit!
Resources
Financial Resources
Covid-19 Freeland Artist Resource: A holistic resource for national and local emergency funds. Thank you Nicole Brewer, Ann Marie Lonsdale, Quanice Floyd, Tiffany Wilhelm, Brian Herrera, Hannah Fenlon, & Clementine Bordeaux for compiling such a fantastic resource!
I Lost My Art Gig: Website where you can create a profile people can donate to
National Endowment for the Arts has their own resources for both Artists and Art Organizations
Tell Congress to include displaced entertainment workers in relief package. It's important right now to reach out to your local and state representatives and help them understand the gravity of this situation for artists.
Scientific Information
Right now it is especially important to only read and share trusted and credible medical sources such as:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Washington Post: Slowing the Spread + the Importance of Social Distancing.
The New York Times: Visualization of the impact of Social Distancing
Covid Act Now: Interactive map that shows projections of infection in your state
General/Community Resources
It's amazing how the music community has rallied together to share resources, knowledge and services. Here are a few examples of highly active Facebook Groups that we suggest you join:
The NEW New Forum for Classical Singers Group
Voice Teachers for Young Singers
Musicians for Paid Gigs And More- Socal
Resources for Young Musicians
Thank you to Sam, who sent in the following resources while earning her Junior Musician Badge! Keep up the great work, Sam!
Job Tips
Transitioning to Online Lessons
"25 Online Lesson Tips" by Nate Plummer. Also check out his interview on The Full Voice Podcast.
How to Optimize Zoom for “Music Mode” by the Royal Academy of Music.
Online resources for Aural Skills and Theory Practice
For Young Students:
Classics for Kids: Worksheets, lesson plans, games
New York Philharmonic KidZone: Interactive music games
Music Tech Teacher: Theory, Piano, Lesson plans, Quizzes
Music Teacher Games: Games, Piano, Guitar, Aural Skills, Rhythm Training
The Full Voice: Selection of free worksheets
Note Rush App: Music reading games, mobile app
For Personal Use/ Older Students/ Institutions:
Teoría: Online Ear Trainer + Music Theory (also available in Spanish)
Tenuto App $3.99 in App Store (iOS only)
Earpeggio App: Free in App Store with ear training + dictation (iOS only)
Sight Reading Factory: Plenty of free resources, also $34.99/year for full access.
SmartMusic: Institutional Fee waived through June 30, 2020.
Royal Conservatory Online Ear Training: $4.99/month
Appcompanist: An easy to use app that plays your piano accompaniment for you.
Pre-Recorded Vocal Warm Ups for Females by Crystal Barron.
(Many recorded warm ups are easily found on YouTube. Share your favorites with us so we can add them here!)
Side Gigs You Can Do Remotely
1575 Remote Jobs from 100+ Companies Hiring Remotely in February 2020
Teach English Online with VIPKid
Sell your clothes/ items online with ThredUP, Poshmark, Depop
Social Media Marketing - Check out this course certification on sale for $39
If you have a car, deliver for DoorDash, Grubhub, Postmates, UberEats
Add a © for a role that you prepared but weren’t able to perform.
Productive Things To Do Under Quarantine
Create a watch list/ playlist of pieces/ Stream select operas for free through Met HD / Stream a Broadway Show
Read a book/ biography on your favorite composer or musicians
Create an excel sheet of future rep and share it with your teacher
Research something you’ve been meaning to learn more about, take an Ivy League class online, start a new hobby
Stop neglecting Duolingo
Learn a new language through this interactive podcast (French, German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Swedish)
Sign up for a free session on Russian diction hosted over Zoom on Saturday, March 28th with Chicago Opera Theater's Music Director Lidiya Yankovskaya
Practice your piano skills and keep up on your aural skills exercises
Update your resume/ PR materials/ make a professional website (Anna Caldwell is hosting a Pay-What-You-Can class for website design specifically geared towards artists!)
Start listening to new podcasts, such as Opera Offstage ;) (Music Related: Aria Code, Sex Drugs & Opera, Opera After Dark| Crime: My Favorite Murder, S-Town| Life/Casual: What We Said, Armchair Expert)
Create a budget using apps like You Need A Budget or Mint
Watch a documentary (Medici.tv has a large database for 12.99/month)
Facetime your friends, start new Netflix shows together with Netflix Party
Organize your music collection, closet for donation/consignment, computer
Start a “Secret Project”
This blog post is shareable, so make sure to send it to your friends!
We care about you all, and we hope this offers some peace in a trying time. Love, Michelle and Jessie