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From our family to yours...

"If you're worried, and you can't sleep, just count your blessings instead of sheep, and you'll fall asleep, counting your blessings" - sung by Bing Crosby in the musical film, White Christmas, written by Irving Berlin.

 

 

We know that this unprecedented time is characterized by a great deal of uncertainty, grief and an overwhelming feeling of isolation. Though the Great American Songbook Foundation cannot change the situation in which we currently find ourselves, we certainly can do our part to take care of our dearest friends during this difficult time. For that reason, we have created a virtual care package for you and yours to come together through music, which Ella Fitzgerald once said "is a universal language" that brings people closer together, no matter how far away we may be.

  

What is included?

Below, you will find a collection of entertaining and educational videos that we've selected to help you stay connected during this time of social distancing.  We will be adding additional content as the days and weeks go on, so please check back here for those timeless melodies and lyrics of the Great American Songbook that inspire that fuzzy warm feeling of hope, nostalgia and a sense of belonging.

  

Why is music important during this time?

Just as the Songbook comforted families during the Great Depression, boosted morale during WWII and created unity during many other challenging world events throughout our history, we can be confident that the voices of Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and Louis Armstrong, the lyrics of Ira Gershwin, Dorothy Fields, Oscar Hammerstein II and the melodies of Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and Duke Ellington (to name a few of many) will carry us through the pandemic that we are facing today. Until we can gather together and celebrate once again in person, count your blessings instead of sheep, stay safe and keep singing the music of the Great American Songbook. 

 

Quick links:

1. A message from Michael Feinstein
2. A virtual postcard from our staff
3. Songbook Academy Serenades
4. Step into the Archives
5. Songbook Spotify Playlists
6. Color the Songbook
7. Ways to Engage
8. Entertainment Recommendations

 

A message from our founder, Michael Feinstein

 

A Virtual Postcard from our Staff

 

Songbook Academy Serenades

Listen to a few of our favorite Songbook Academy moments over the past decade. Nothing makes us more hopeful than listening to the next generation of Songbook singers reinterpret the age-old classics that we know and love.

 

 

Special thanks to our partners who made these performances and educational opportunities possible:

• Efroymson Family Fund

• City of Carmel

• Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse

• Salon 01

• Old National Bank

 

Step into the Archives

Go behind-the-scenes and step into the Archives with our trusty archivist, Lisa Lobdell, to learn about our collections and general preservation tips and tricks! 

 

 

Songbook Spotify Playlists

We've curated a few playlists of Songbook tunes that were hand selected by our staff with consideration to what you and your families are going through right now.  Whether you need a playlist of songs to calm your anxiety and put a smile on your face or a playlist to entertain the kiddos with cabin fever in your life, we've got you covered!

 

Click the images to enjoy.

  

    

   

Color the Songbook

A fun activity for ALL ages, but especially those younger Songbook lovers in your life. Print the coloring pages below that represent our past four exhibit topics: Of Thee I Sing, The Andrews Sisters, Meredith Willson and Ella Fitzgerald! Make sure post your colorful masterpiece on social media and tag us @songbookfoundation for us to share!

 

Click the image below to download and start coloring.

 

 

  

Ways to Engage

During this time of social distancing, the Great American Songbook Foundation has created some recurring ways for you and yours to engage with us and the community at large through the music and history of the Songbook. Here are just a few of the activities you can add to your calendar over the coming weeks:

   

  

Songbook Trivia Tuesdays

Every Tuesday on our Facebook page, we are hosting Songbook trivia with 5 questions about a famous composer, lyricist or performing artist! We started with 2020 Songbook Hall of Fame honoree, Peggy Lee, and have since asked hard hitting questions about Judy Garland and the famous song and dance man, Gene Kelly. Check out a sample question from this week's trivia, and follow us on Facebook for the live game every Tuesday night.

 

Hint: it's a famous tune from her time as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz!

   

Perfect Harmony Music Resources

Though our Perfect Harmony programs may be suspended for the time being, music is still an important part of daily life for our friends who visit us from local senior living communities and the Alzheimer's Association. We have been creating weekly music packets and accompanying videos to use at home - lucky for you, these resources are handy for EVERYONE to use during this time of social distancing. Use these with your families to sing, dance and socialize together through music. 

 

Click the images to enjoy.

 

      

Sing-along with our staff to a few songs from the packets above:

 

 

Special thanks to our partners who support Perfect Harmony's mission to promote holistic well-being and social engagement through music:

• American Senior Communities

• Applegate & Dillman Elder Law

  

Entertainment Recommendations

Our Songbook family and industry friends across the country have been extremely creative in adapting to the new world in which we're living, and have released virtual entertainment opportunities to get you through this challenging time. We applaud these artists and wanted to share some recommendations with you to take advantage of their fabulous virtual entertainment opportunities.

  

Watch Daily Videos with Michael Feinstein

Check out our founder, Michael Feinstein, in his daily series called "Conversations and Music" in collaboration with BroadwayWorld. 

   

Introducing Masterclass Moments

The Songbook Academy is preparing to roll-out a new virtual series of archival footage from the past ten years of the program. Focusing on masterclasses with celebrity guest mentors such as Michael Feinstein, Broadway's Laura Osnes and American television writer and producer Marc Cherry, the series will premiere a new segment every Monday night as an opportunity for both entertainment AND education. This series will begin on Monday, May 11th and will debut on the Songbook Academy's Facebook page and Instagram TV. 

  

Enjoy live readings of Songbook Children's Stories

Our Songbook volunteers and staff filmed live readings of musical children's stories pre-social distancing and shared for #InternationalReadtoMe Day. Keep this playlist of stories in your back pocket as an entertainment option for the young Songbook lovers in your life!

  

Listen to Scott Bradlee's Quarantine Piano Series

2020 Songbook Academy mentor Scott Bradlee and his digital music empire, Postmodern Jukebox, have been releasing daily quarantine content. Listen to just one of the tunes in his Quarantine Piano Series and follow Scott and PMJ for more.

 

Check back later for additional care package content! In the meantime, Stay calm and keep singing the Songbook, friends.