A Note from the 2021 Keys for the City Pianos

It is so good to be back on the streets of Lancaster!

We’re able to share our keys, notes and our cool, hip, brilliant “looks” that our talented visual artists have created and given us.

Most of all, it’s wonderful to have you — the citizens of Lancaster — once again tickling our ivories. Both the white keys and the black keys. When we all work together — the white keys, the black keys and you — we create wonderful music.

In March 2020, we were tuned up and poised to be delivered from the Benchmark Construction warehouse to the artists who were going to give us our “makeovers” before hitting the streets in May.

And then?

Well, you know the next verse to this song.

We know that the pandemic has been incredibly difficult for you. It’s been hard on us, as well. We desperately wanted to be on the streets making music with you, bringing people together through music. It’s what we do. It’s what we live for.

We missed a lot while stuck in that warehouse for a year and a half. We didn’t experience the great Community Clamor, when music exploded through the city and county to thank our health care professionals for taking care of us.

We didn’t see the bands strapped on the back of trucks bringing music to our neighborhoods.

We didn’t see the musicians doing Zoom concerts (they don’t provide us with internet access in the warehouse). And we are just now checking out the various music-themed murals around town that served as a substitute for us last summer.

Like you, we were isolated. Just us Keys for the City pianos, sitting in the dark, commiserating, not knowing what the future would hold. That can get a piano thinking. But as with any difficult or challenging situation, there are hidden opportunities.

As with you, that time in isolation provided an opportunity for some serious contemplation and self-reflection about who we are, what we do and what’s truly important.

What we came to more fully understand and appreciate is that investment in music and the arts is more important than ever.

Throughout the pandemic, it was music and the arts that stepped to the forefront as a healing agent, keeping us connected during difficult and unsettling times. While it has been science and medicine that have helped us survive COVID-19, it has been music and the arts that have gotten us through it.

And we will continue to do so, because that’s what we do.

Our return represents another step in achieving something resembling normalcy. So please gather around and enjoy us. Let us help rebuild the connections that were severed and let us continue to help our community heal.

When things return to "normal," that will mean, for us, fighting against continued cuts in music programs, because music is more than notes played and songs sung. In other words, music is more than simply music.

Music is essential as an educational, healing and community-building tool. We hope you don’t forget how, when things were looking very dark, musicians and artists stepped up to fill the voids left by the isolation, pain, uncertainty and loss inflicted by the pandemic.

Perhaps the greatest lesson we learned was that we are not simply an “extra” that is nice to have, but rather, we are essential to our lives, our schools and our community.

So play on Lancaster! Play on!

This essay appeared in the Saturday, August 14 2021 edition of the LNP News

Placed in “Time Out” by Mother Nature

Whether you believe it was God or Mother Earth we, as a human race, have been relegated to the corner for a “time out” by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Like a five year old sent to the corner to consider the effects of his or her misbehavior, the worldwide, lock-down and isolation measures necessary to combat the virus amounts to the same penalty for our society. Regardless of who or what imposed it, the fact is, we have collectively been forced to spend some “quiet time” — to sit still and contemplate our behavior and consider how we can change for the better.

As the pandemic has raced around the world wreaking havoc, death and economic destruction in its wake, it has become increasingly clear that we deserved this time out. One of the most striking impacts of the pandemic is how it has revealed just how inequitable and out of balance our society has become, not only regarding how we treat our fellow human beings but also in our relationship to Mother Earth.

From the pandemic to the economic hardship to worldwide demonstrations over another needless death of black men such as George Floyd and Jacob Blake at the hands of police, to a political system that is so polarized as to be failing the people it is meant to serve to our increasingly ugly civil discourse, it seems as if the world is spinning out of control.

It is like Mother Earth is attempting to shake off a virus of its own. Mother Earth knows she is finite. Mother Earth knows she can only support so much population, pollution and civil unrest on her life giving bounty. And she is letting us know she’s upset. Like a dog trying to shake fleas from its body, so too is Mother Earth shaking up the human race in an effort to spur it to reconsider its behavior.

We had better listen because Mother Earth always prevails. You mess with Mother Earth at your peril.

Many are hoping that we can eventually return to normal. But it has become crystal clear that there will be no return to normal. Virtually everything - from the way we think to the values we embrace to the things we do — will have to be re-imagined and revamped.  We, as individuals, families, communities, countries and as a world collective will have to reconsider and adjust in a way that is more respectful and humble as it relates to our treatment of each other and our stewardship of the planet. And our approach must be grounded in humility, empathy and creativity.

What are some lessons we can consider and learn as we contemplate the behavior that landed us in this uncomfortable time out?  Will we have the humility to consider whether our current consumption driven, winner take all society might need to be reconsidered and adjusted? Or will we revert to being overly obsessed with the accumulation of material things and the notion that “I” is more important than “We”. Will we be smart enough to realize that when my neighbor prospers, I do as well? Will we have the courage and wisdom to truly embrace the notion that we are all in this together?

Can we be more empathic to the needs and challenges facing our friends and neighbors, regardless of their class, race or creed? Will our time out force us to muster more compassion for those less fortunate? While in time out will we not only recognize but support and reward what and who truly is “essential”?

Will we have the discipline and commitment to become more educated regarding subjects related to economic inequality, racism and environmental degradation so we can better understand and appreciate the underlying causes of these societal afflictions?

And can we harness the creativity and vision necessary to re-imagine a better way forward? In short, will we use this time out to thoughtfully reflect and prepare to become more caring and responsible neighbors and citizens?

Yes, we are disappointed and angry that we can’t frequent bars, theaters, restaurants and stadiums or generously give hugs to family and friends like we used to. And yes, it is frustrating and painful to have these life pleasures denied.

But as we “open up” and begin to emerge from our time out, we’ll be far better off thoughtfully considering whether we will have the courage, wisdom and commitment to re-imagine and restructure our new normal. Only then will we be able to move forward to make that new normal, not only new, but better — more generous, more equitable, more just, more empathetic and more humble.

The COVID-19 Pandemic: A Once in a Generation Opportunity for American Higher Education

The mark of a great coach is knowing when to call a time-out.

There are times when an opponent gets “on a roll.” As all of their shots seem to fall or every play results in a first down, you see their confidence and momentum grow, and you begin to feel like you are facing a tsunami.  Without some type of intervention, your team will be swept away in a wave of defeat.  What is a coach to do?

Call a time-out. Rest, regroup, rethink, refocus, and prepare for the next quarter or half.

For intercollegiate athletics, the COVID-19 pandemic is that tsunami.

With the notable exception of the intelligent and courageous decision by the Ivy League and a handful of other Division II schools to cancel their football season, most colleges and universities are moving forward with plans to play in the fall. But already, a significant number of football players at LSU, Clemson, and Kansas State have caught the virus after returning to campus for informal workouts. And this is only the beginning.

To think that the spread of this virus can somehow be controlled in sports that require intense physical contact not only with other athletes but also group meetings and physical therapy treatments with coaches, trainers and staff is absolutely ludicrous. There is little social distancing in highly competitive sports such as football and basketball.

No amount of wishful thinking or spin is going to change that. Clearly, COVID-19 is not a college sports fan.

That is why American higher education would be best served by taking a time-out from sports for the next year.

Despite all of the screaming and doomsday scenarios of economic disaster being spun by the athletic establishment, our colleges and universities will survive, with or without intercollegiate athletics.

Yes, there will be enormous negative impacts on revenue streams, local economies, and athletic careers. While extremely disappointing and painful, the pandemic has also provided an unprecedented opportunity to dramatically restructure the college athletics programs at a sizable number of schools. And it is a restructuring that has been seen as being increasingly inevitable.

Specifically, this once in a generation opportunity relates to the gap between the Football Bowl Series (FBS) “haves” (approximately 50 – 60 schools) and the “have nots” (the remaining 50 – 70 or so schools in the division).  This gap in financial commitment, facilities, television exposure, recruiting advantages, etc., has been growing unabated for decades. The pandemic will simply accelerate that chasm. The inevitable has arrived sooner than expected, courtesy of COVID-19. 

Over time, competitive and financial realities change. A school that refuses to recognize changing realities risks damage to its ability to fully meet its institutional mission. When you are trapped in a never-ending, ultra-competitive, and expensive rat race, an opportunity to exit that rat race should be considered and embraced.

Schools such as Texas State and Ohio University must accept the obvious reality that there will never be a day where they can consistently compete on anything that even resembles a level playing field with the likes of Texas and Ohio State. These schools operate in different universes. Like a smart poker player who recognizes when to “fold’em,” these developments provide an excellent opportunity to gracefully exit a game that no longer makes sense.

Rather than bemoan the financial and competitive realities, institutional leaders at these schools should embrace the opportunity the pandemic is providing: A legitimate, perfectly reasonable, and logical “cover” necessary to gracefully exit Big-Time football. The challenge for trustees, state legislators, college presidents, and senior administrators is to exhibit the vision and courage to provide the leadership to honestly assess athletics’ place on campus and whether their programs can be restructured or rescaled in a way that makes more sense fiscally and fits more comfortably into institutional mission in this new world.

If positioned artfully, these schools could send a strong and much-needed message to our populace that as much as we love athletics, it is far more important that we love and value education more.

That process starts by having the courage to reject the false argument about athletic boosters who will quit writing checks to the university if the school de-emphasizes football. While there may indeed be a few, there will also be others who will applaud the university’s courage and strategic vision in walking away from the rat race and respond by writing checks they wouldn’t have written in the past.  In fact, some research suggests that those who donate the most to universities believe that university spending on athletics should be a very low priority. The fact is, these institutions will survive and thrive with football being played at a scaled-back level or without it at all. 

 In the long run, athletes at these schools will be better off. By exiting the Big-Time football rat race, their schools will be in a position to restructure and reposition their athletic program as one that can offer a young person a more balanced student-athlete experience.

Rather than agonizing over lost revenue and a canceled season, perhaps this crisis should be considered an unprecedented opportunity for significant reform at many institutions.

In short, Big-Time football no longer makes sense for many FBS programs. If the educational leaders at those schools summon the courage to do so, COVID-19 will provide an opportunity to do something that most educational leaders never get: the ability to restructure their athletic program in a way that will enable it to fit more comfortably within the educational mission of their institution.

Now, that would be a great use of a “Time-Out.”

The Power of Music in a Stressful Pandemic

John Gerdy, founder of Music for Everyone, is shown outside his office at The Ware Center in this file photo.

Times like these can spur intense internal reflection about what is important in life. It also can lead to some questioning about whether what we do, whether at home or in the workplace, adds value in our community.

As the executive director of a music-related nonprofit organization, I have thought deeply regarding exactly how our mission of cultivating the power of music as an educational, community-building and public health tool applies to the COVID-19 crisis at hand. Clearly, while music is very important, an argument can be made that compared to the heroic public health workers and organizations that are directly addressing life-and-death issues, music’s importance pales.

But to underestimate the importance of music in our lives and communities in times like these is misguided.

Human beings are social creatures. Our brains are wired for, and our emotional health is tied to, being connected with others. We crave touch, we need human connections and we need to feel a sense of belonging. Our emotional and mental well-being literally depend on this sense of human connectedness.

In a crisis of this magnitude, people feel confused, afraid, alone and unmoored. These feelings and emotions are amplified significantly in a global viral pandemic that requires social distancing, self-isolation, and lockdowns. On top of that, the realization that such social distancing may be required for months rather than weeks further contributes to the anxiety, stress, and feelings of hopelessness.

Throughout time, one of the fundamental responsibilities of musicians and other artists has been to create art that shines a light on the issues of the day in a way that helps make sense of the world around us, offering hope and comfort amid fear and uncertainty. But in the age of this novel coronavirus, accessing and investing in music is infinitely more important for another reason.

It is clear that following closely on the heels of the virus will emerge an emotional and mental health crisis within our populace. The impact of social separation and isolation on issues relating to depression, loneliness, hopelessness, and suicide may skyrocket.

Research tells us that music is one of our most powerful therapeutic tools in helping to mitigate the effects and impact of depression, anxiety disorders, stress, loneliness, and isolation. Music can elevate an individual’s mood, resulting in a more positive outlook. It also offers a pathway to connecting with other humans.

That being the case, now more than ever we must harness and leverage the power and potential of music.

We hope to do this in a small way Thursday in the Community Clamor, an event led by LNP | LancasterOnline, the City of Lancaster, and Music For Everyone, the organization I lead.

We’re asking Lancaster city residents to step outside their homes at 6 p.m. — while maintaining safe social distances from their neighbors — to play a musical instrument, cheer, sing or simply bang together some pots and pans.

The aim will be to thank health care workers and other essential workers for putting their lives on the line during this pandemic. To let some of our anxiety go. And to connect with one another.

As David Brooks noted last month in The New York Times, “music and art are already filling the emotional gaps left by the absence of direct human contact.”

He cited the example of neighborhood kids putting on a cello concert for an elderly woman who was self-isolating. Other examples include the opera singer in Milan, Italy, who performed from her balcony for her neighbors during that city’s lockdown. Numerous musicians are conducting virtual performances from the comfort of their homes. These are all examples of how musicians and artists are creatively leveraging their talents to serve the greater public good.

In a very strange sort of way, the current self-isolation and lockdown measures offer musicians and artists something that they crave — a captive audience of individuals and families longing for entertainment and a sense of belonging and connectedness as they sit at home with nowhere to go.

While the most pressing current need is addressing the physical health issues and economic challenges related to this pandemic, let’s not forget that this current crisis challenges each and every one of us on an emotional and mental health level.

In the uncertain weeks and months ahead, leveraging music’s capacity to mitigate the negative impacts of isolation, and to keep people connected, will be profoundly important. Whether looking to bring your family together, calm your nerves, engage your kids or to feel connected to another human, music will be an essential tool in our efforts to survive the current crisis.

What we as musicians, artists, and community arts leaders do in the face of this crisis is vitally important. Our communities are going to need the soothing, healing and connectedness that music and the arts are uniquely qualified to provide.

We all need to think outside the box to leverage our talents, connections, resources and the power and potential of music and the arts to help our communities come out on the other side of this crisis stronger, healthier and more connected and empathetic than ever.

John Gerdy is founder and executive director of Music For Everyone. He can be reached at JohnGerdy@aol.com

This essay appeared in the Sunday, April 12 edition of the LNP News