SIDEWALK Soirees continued
INSPIRATION
Weekly
FROM VALERIE STARK, Beta, Boston Alumni
In the spring, I was speaking with a church friend about how to encourage people in this season of isolation. He suggested I figure out a way to share music, since I am a pianist. I thought about bringing an electronic keyboard out onto our front porch to play inspirational music once a week. My husband is a singer and enjoys playing a cajon. He also has been a part of a Beatles tribute band and is a big fan of their music. It was natural to plan to include some vocal tunes from him. We began in the middle of April and have continued nearly weekly since then. Performance times are regularly Friday evenings at 7 p.m., weather permitting, and begin with me playing a meditative piece as a prayer for frontline and essential workers and those affected by the virus. The first one I played was the J.S. Bach C Major Prelude (WTC, Vol. 1). I have also played “You’ve Got a Friend” by Carole King, “The Prayer” by Carole Bayer Sager and David Foster, and other similar pieces. After that, we perform about four songs, mostly Beatles covers, on themes of inspiration, perseverance, the love of travel and wandering, et cetera. We have also covered James Taylor tunes and a few Chicago tunes — artists we have loved since youth. Occasionally we have been joined by a young banjo-playing neighbor (at a safe social distance) and most recently, by our daughter, Joy, who provides a strong third vocal harmony. 28 MuPhiEpsilon.org
Pianist Valerie Stark and her husband, Jeff, are joined by their daughter, Joy, for one of their weekly Stark Family Porch Music concerts.
Initially we invited our proximate neighbors by email to stand on their porches for the 15-minute concert. They in turn have invited other neighbors to join. There are also many dog walkers who catch a tune on their way down the street. In the summer, we began sharing our concerts on Facebook, and friends far and wide have responded that they enjoy singing along or just listening in. As we gained in momentum with live and media performing, so has our investment in equipment. A large used keyboard amplifier and full keyboard purchases and tweaks to the computer connection have raised the sound quality. My husband has enjoyed the challenge of constantly improving sound as well as programming the evenings. The repertoire list is up to 42. We will continue as long as weather and daylight permit. We are still having fun. People gather in cars in the driveway, on the street, at distances on our front lawn, or across the street on porches or seated on a stone wall. It gives them an event to attend safely and a great way to connect with each other.
