Online Song and Poetry Swap via Live Video Conference: “Songs we need to hear during a Pandemic"

Performances through Zoom

PMN Members may use this registration form to sign up to share a song or a poem during this online event.  The 20 or so PMN members who are selected to perform will receive an e-mail with a link to PMN's Zoom video conference account.  They will all  perform through their own computer connection. 

Broadcast through Facebook Live

Anyone may tune in to this program at no cost, via Facebook Live.  Just go to PMN's Facebook page at about 7:30pm on Friday, April 3, and scroll down to find the livestream. Here is PMN's Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/Peoples.Music.Network/

The Topic

In this video conference event, PMN members are invited to share songs or poems on the topic of “What we need to hear during a Pandemic".  We need songs about the injustices that exacerbate the dangers of this pandemic (e.g., a healthcare system that prioritizes profits over people, the economic precarity of the working class, and the systemic incompetence and inhumanity of our government).  We also need songs about the crises that are upon us with or without a pandemic (racism, the climate crisis, sexual violence, the scourge of prisons, and more).  Finally, we need songs that brighten our lives in the stressful and uncertain times we're living through.

Eligibility to Perform

Performers in this swap must:

1) be PMN members in good standing* 

2) register using this form

3) have a computer with a video camera.**

* If you are not a PMN member, you may join here: https://www.peoplesmusic.org/join-PMN

** Using your computer's built in mic with Zoom's default audio settings is sufficient to participate and be heard.  The sound of a person singing normally comes across on Zoom somewhat better than a telephone.  However, we have found that Zoom's default audio compression filters cause the audio for musical instruments to be poor.  While the filters are effective at eliminating background noise, they also distort the frequencies of musical instruments.  Using a headset with a built in mic will focus the sound of your voice, because it puts the mic closer to your mouth, but it won't improve audio quality of instruments.  Fortunately, it is possible to significantly improve the audio quality of both voice and instruments by using an external USB mic or a USB audio interface device.  Once you have the hardware in place, there is a setting in Zoom called "enable original sound", which removes Zoom's default audio compression.  Learning these tools helps improve the sound of your performance.  Please see here for a useful tutorial on changing the audio settings in Zoom for music.

A Note on Selection

Every PMN member wishing to perform at this event is invited to register and to do so sooner than later.  Selection for the final performer list will give priority to PMN members who have not yet performed in one of our previous online song swap.  We plan to hold these song swap events regularly, so anticipate more opportunities. 

Help Publicize!

Tell your friends how they can tune into this online musical event for progressive culture.  Share this event on Facebook: (coming soon!)