The stage lights had sat dim, cold and dusty for months.
Just earlier this year they had illuminated legions of the Napa Valley Youth Symphonyâs young musicians as they sat inside the Lincoln Theater, some with their chins tucked neatly into violas or violins, others with their fingers pressed delicately over the keys of a clarinet or flute.
Now those same musicians practice and perform from their homes, using Zoom to coordinate with one another as best they can, according to Shelley Surh, the symphonyâs executive director.
âThatâs been hard (for them) because rehearsing via Zoom is basically a solo at a time â with Zoom audio, you canât play together, because you canât hear each other,â Surh explained.
Songs of Gratitude draws millions
Festival Napa Valleyâs online production, âSongs of Gratitude,â drew an audience of 3 million from around the world on Dec. 5.
The concert, filmed at locations throughout Napa Valley, celebrated resilience âin a year like no otherâ and the power of music âto unite and to heal.â
It included performances by pianist Audrey Vardanega, the Friction String Quartet, vocalists Kelley OâConnor and Nicholas Phan, traditional Mexican roots folk ensemble Los Cenzontles, Jookinâ dancer Ron âPrime Tymeâ Myles, cellist Starla Breshears, and chanteuse and harpist Lucinda Belle, along with a remote vocal ensemble of Napa County high school choristers.