Innovation in Isolation

CONNECTING THROUGH MUSIC

Words by Janet Kingsbury DIRECTOR OF MUSIC

Times of crisis really test who we are – our values, our ability to cope with uncertainty, all aspects of our physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. Our largely comfortable, predictable patterns of everyday living and working are totally redefined and reshaped, with us having to learn and accept a ‘new normal’ for a shorter or greater period of time. 2020 – the year of Covid-19 - will undoubtably go down in world history as a significant time that will ultimately change the way that we all live, work, think and respond to the world around us and to each other - on a family, community, national, and global level.

Musicians across the world – at all levels and of all genres – found creative ways to keep people connected during the Covid-19 pandemic that kept us apart, giving us back some control of our day to day lives. The wide variety of creative and innovative music making provided a sense of belonging, allowed participation and collaboration, and showed gratitude – for example YouTube parodies; online collaborative ‘isolation performances’ using platforms such as Zoom; solo artists sharing their music from their homes; families working together in their ‘bubble’ to create, make and share music; using music as a way of acknowledging and thanking all of those who have been selfless in navigating through these extraordinary times for the benefit of us all. It has been documented that ‘audience’ numbers for many online performances have well exceeded those that would have been present at a live performance in a physical venue.

All these, and more, provided personal and social development, mental health and well-being benefits, and brought established and new communities together.

Rangi music students would have been inspired by this innovation. Without a doubt, music making has continued in the girls’ homes, both as individuals, in family ‘bubbles’, and collaboratively using social media. Music lessons have taken place online, group rehearsals have happened via Zoom, girls have been able to continue to practice in their homes. They have continued to write and share their own compositions and songs and have largely been able to continue many other aspects of their music programme through independent learning, supported by one-one and small group video chats through Teams. Our senior leaders ran ‘Rangi’s Got Talent’ in an online format and shared the performances via Instagram.

Now that we are physically back together, we can reflect on these new experiences and look at ways to adapt our previous ways of doing things to incorporate the best of what we learned during lockdown. There has been much talk for some time in education circles about learning being future focused and real world – and the most significant learning can best be achieved through the collaborative efforts of many individuals. It empowers the learner to change the world for better, enabling at its very core imagination, arts and creativity to come into play.

With Covid-19 globally affecting the way we all live, work and think, these parameters have clearly come into sharp focus and are vital tools in the global recovery. What is the role of the Arts – and more specifically music – in all of this? Music, as a social document, allows us to look at ourselves, to express emotion, to be empathetic and kind, and above all, to feel loved and connected. And in this case, in a way that we would never have thought possible, with many new opportunities and ways of thinking becoming apparent. The lockdown has highlighted the importance of music as a community – a physical and an online one, a local and a global one. The focus moves away from having to always strive for higher and higher standards – being ‘the best that we possibly can’. Instead, the first and primary focus has been on engagement, connecting and kindness through music – which in turn brings out the best in both creators, performers and listeners.

Lydia Robinson and Kareena Singh in Percussion Ensemble

Through the development of skills, provision of opportunities and a strong sense of music community at Rangi, our girls are well placed to collaboratively use their creative and innovative skills to build, connect and enhance communities within Rangi, Christchurch, New Zealand, and globally – in this fast paced and ever-changing world and times in which we live.

‘In the face of uncertainty and panic, music is a social balm for soothing anxiety, enhancing community connections and acting in defiance of a threat to community spirit’

World Economic Forum 2020