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E-gigs: Performance in a Time of Crisis

All art by Marius Majolin. Insta: tofu.twink

On Saturday, I played my first e-gig. All performers were given the stream key to a single account on Twitch.tv, which served as the “venue.” The chat was open, and the “audience” used it as a substitute for cheering on the various performers.

Marius Majolin. Insta: tofu.twink

The role of working musicians is being widely reconsidered in the era of COVID-19. There are no live performances at traditional venues anymore, leaving many freelance performers out of work entirely with nothing to fall back on. Musicians have responded to these changes by making things work remotely: e-gigs give artists an opportunity to leave out a virtual tip jar, as well as promote their music for when the quarantine ends. These trends are also reflected in performances elsewhere, such as artists featured on late night talk shows playing from the comfort of their homes. The advantages to e-performances like this one are likely to carry on, even after the quarantine ends. Seeing the future development of live shows past this point will be interesting, but I am fortunate to have been a part of this one.

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Folk Fest 2019

Big big thanks to everyone who came out to Folk Fest! Sadly, the second day did not come to fruition due to technical issues, but the first day was a great success. Thank you to all the performers and everyone involved, it was an honor to be able to put this together and play in support of NYPIRG’s menstrual product and toiletry drive. The first day we managed to raise $34 from Folk Fest alone, how cool is that?

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FSSA Production of The Music Man 2017

When I was first cast into my school’s production of The Music Man, I was overcome with many emotions. Pervading through them was the shock and amazement that I, a lone instrumental major, was able to be cast in the highest attended event of the school year. Say what you’d like about it, but Meredith Wilson’s The Music Man is exactly what it needs to be. It’s funny, it’s grandiose, it has a heartfelt story, and it has a fantastic soundtrack. Hit after hit after hit. Besides all of this, it’s simply an extremely fun show to be in, which never gets boring and is always full of surprises. I am honored to have performed in this fantastic show.

More surprises were just around the corner. We were fortunate enough to perform on Broadway as part of the Shubert Foundation High School Music Festival. Performing of Broadway was something I never thought I would experience, and I am beyond honored to have done it. Thank you C.P, thank you to the whole cast. I’m fortunate to have shared in this experience with you all!

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FSSA Jazz Concert 2017

All the 2016-17 shows are finally on Vimeo! Here is the jazz show from my school. Apologies for the audio discrepancies here and there, they mostly go away towards the end (which is where the best songs are anyway!) If you’re pressed for time, check out Peggy Lee’s Fever at 57:10, performed by the talented Erica Dancona, followed by Charle’s Mingus’ intensely political Fables of Fabus at 1:02:20, one of my favorite tunes and one that I have a solo on!

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Senior Award Ceremony!

Honored to have received the awards for excellence in both Jazz Band and Contemporary Ensemble (composition)! Thank you to all my music teachers at Sinatra for helping me get to this point, especially Mr. Ricks and Mr.Lieberson, respectively for each award. I hope to make good on what you’ve taught me at SUNY Purchase in the fall!

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CAT Youth Theatre Production of Walls

At the beginning of this year, I joined an organization called the CAT Youth Theatre. Up until that point, I have had very little luck in fitting in such a new environment, after moving to New York City from south Florida. CAT gave me friends that I will know for the rest of my life, and I will always appreciate that.

The value of what CAT does cannot be overstated. Even if you aren’t typically involved in theatre, the playbuilding activities used by CAT to write/act in it helps people from all walks of life to come out of their shells, get to truly connect with one another. It’s been a very formative experience for me, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

This all culminated in Walls, an original show devised by the company. It has been a long couple of months filled with rehearsals, but it all paid off in the end. Thank you to all the directors, especially Helen. You do incredible work for young people, and that is not lost on me.