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Even though everyone is feeling a little disconnected music is still bringing people together. Perhaps the best example is the hashtag created by Laura Benanti #SunshineSongs. This is very powerful because for some people, music is their life and the halting of the world is causing people to not able to express themselves the way they usually do. Although many people around the globe are being very creative and coming up with creative activities and ideas, music is one of the subjects that will always without a doubt bring everyone together.

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Singing without my peers in the same room has affected me a lot. It’s more difficult to actively perform in class. I think that there is less creativity coming in when I perform through zoom. To me, singing is not always about the sound. It’s also about the people you have around you; the people you enjoy singing with.

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Without music, I don’t know where I would be. I’m not saying it’s my favorite thing in the world, but it is one of the things that shaped my life in the past 11 years. From listening to music to performing piano to singing. Even playing the recorder in fourth grade. You don’t realize you really loved something until you can’t do it anymore.

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I haven’t heard the voices of the people in our class in a while, which makes our zoom meetings feel kind of empty. It has definitely taken away from the experience, which is sad, but I am happy that we are still making music in a meaningful way.

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Whatever the circumstance is, people who love to sing will keep on singing, and simple actions like singing for your family can not only make you feel better, but also make people around you feel better

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Although it may be hard to come together and see your family, that is where the feeling of music and singing comes into play. In Italy, one of the greatest Coronavirus hotspots, people have begun stepping out of their balconies to sing along together creating a sense of unity in uncertain times and quite frightful times. Tweets like Laura Benanti’s are so powerful because they bring a sense of community to kids across the country. Although we might be feeling separated right now, cut off from the rest of the world, we have still found a way to connect online and sing. Music creates joy among people. A little bubble in their chaotic day where they can release their stress and sing away their worries.

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Music is a way to let your feelings go. It allows you to express yourself in a whole new way. You are no longer in that tight dark space anymore. Music can help you find the light. You can open up a whole new world just outside, and no one will judge you.

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I think that starting music at Newark Academy has taught me how amazing music actually is. At my old school we didn’t really perform music. We would just play music games. I love actually learning about music this year and hope to return to school soon.

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Music is a huge part of our society and how we live. It is especially impactful when people come together and make music. For example music class is so important because it helps students connect with each other. I have a lot of fun with my classmates when we go to music class and we can do something together.

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I look forward to being with my friends and peers and making music, and most importantly having fun. Now, I feel that our ability to make music as a group has been taken away. While we are able to have math class and english through online schooling, chorus is not the same experience. I have heard it said many times before that music brings people together. I don’t think that it has ever been any more true in my life.

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Music really means a lot to me because it brings my friends, family together. It helps me when I am sad and lifts me when I am happy,

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I don’t want to sing without my friends by me anymore. I try to sing to myself in my house but it’s embarrassing so I sing really quietly and it gets me nowhere. I like to sing loud and express myself with music. I want to sing for somebody to hear. Our voices are stronger together and we are weakened when we separate.

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Being with my peers and making music is something I look forward to. I think that music will help bring us back to normalcy. Like us, many  schools will not be able to perform songs at their spring concerts, but students sharing videos of themselves performing is like having an audience. Even though it is not live, it still serves a purpose. I think that NA 6th grade chorus should submit a video on social media. It would enlighten the NA community by doing little things to get us through these rough times.

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Music is magical. Music  tells a story that can convey any emotion to a person. Music can also make you motivated to accomplish goals that are difficult to do. I am sad that my classmates aren’t beside me while singing together, but I understand that this is not a good time for the world and we must be patient until quarantine is over. Virtual performances are very important right now because they show that people haven’t given up on what they love, even if there is an outbreak throughout the world.

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Music was great for my mental health and was a great break from school work on a normal day at Newark Academy.  Laura Benanti gave kids recognition for what they accomplished and all of their hard work involving the arts.  As Laura said herself, she “can’t fix anything” but she can bring a little joy to the people who have worked tirelessly for something that can’t happen in these dangerous times.  Laura brought people together and her # will be remembered when we look back on the coronavirus in 2020.  In all, I miss music class and I am so happy for the kids who got to express themselves though Laura Benanti's platform.

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Not being able to sing songs with my friends has been hard. I need singing in my life because it’s one of my favorite hobbies and I just love to sing. I hope that we will have a spring concert because our chorus group really needs to be heard. It would be hard for all of us if we spent all of our time on this and then we couldn’t do it. Thank you, Mr. Lal, and Mr. Bender, for teaching us and helping us learn through this hard time. I am now speaking for the whole chorus group we appreciate you both for everything you do to keep us singing.

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The Arts and music are an outlet for me to let everything else go, whether it be stress, anxiety, or drama, music has always been important to me. One thing that has definitely helped me cope with these changes is listening to music. I always feel more relaxed after opening up Spotify or YouTube and listening to music.

Virtual performances displaying the arts, especially music, are essential right now.