Dear Friends,

 

I am a freelance musician, and have worked in the so-called “gig economy” my entire professional life. Most of my musician friends (as well as creative folks in other walks of life), who have little job security and few benefits, are particularly hard hit by any sudden downturn in the economy. But unlike manmade crashes like the “Lehman shock” of 2008, and natural disasters like Superstorm Sandy and Typhoon Hagibis, the COVID-19 pandemic is even making it impossible to get together an orchestra or a theater company in the same room.

 

Physically isolated and left to our own devices though we are, musicians around the world (including some of you!) are thinking of many creative ways to encourage people, and keep on honing our skills until concert halls and jazz clubs open up again. Here’s a prime example: a group of (suddenly unemployed) Nashville studio singers recording a spectacular arrangement of “It Is Well With My Soul” on their cellphones, piece by piece. The individual tracks (along with video clips) were melded together by an expert producer, and here’s what they came up with.

 

One of my very favorite hymns, for the last 30 years this song has constantly encouraged me during all kinds of tough times. May it do the same for each of you as you weather the unprecedented storm the entire world is navigating right now.

yours, Steve

 

 

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say
It is well–it is well with my soul.

       

Dear Friends,

  I am a freelance musician, and have worked in the so-called "gig economy" my entire professional life. Most of my musician friends (as well as creative folks in other walks of life), who have little job security and few benefits, are particularly hard hit by any sudden downturn in the economy. But unlike manmade crashes like the "Lehman shock" of 2008, and natural disasters like Superstorm Sandy and Typhoon Hagibis, the COVID-19 pandemic is even making it impossible to get together an orchestra or a theater company in the same room.   Physically isolated and left to our own devices though we are, musicians around the world (including some of you!) are thinking of many creative ways to encourage people, and keep on honing our skills until concert halls and jazz clubs open up again.Here's a prime example: a group of (suddenly unemployed) Nashville studio singers recording a spectacular arrangement of "It Is Well With My Soul" on their cellphones, piece by piece. The individual tracks (along with video clips) were melded together by an expert producer, and here's what they came up with.   One of my very favorite hymns, for the last 30 years this song has constantly encouraged me during all kinds of tough times. May it do the same for each of you as you weather the unprecedented storm the entire world is navigating right now.  

yours, Steve

 

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way When sorrows like sea billows roll Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say It is well--it is well with my soul.