What does it mean to be a musician in 2021?

* Over the past year, I've been working with music students from a high school on Mercer Island in Seattle to create of a new piece of music for their wind band. The project started with me writing the music for them to record individually, which we would then put together for the final audio, but it very quickly turned into a much bigger project. It became a huge collaborative effort, and I ended up working very closely with the students in developing the piece. All this made me think about what it means to be a musician in 2021, after so many people were forced to stop playing in 2020. And this is what this video is about - it's about the project itself, but it's also about what it means to make music after a global pandemic.

Musical director: Parker Bixby
Audio engineer: Jacob Krieger

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Thank you to my all my amazing supporters on Patreon, but in particular to my Perfect Fifth supporters: David Ball, Pavel Makeenko, Max Braun, Hamish Madden, Andrew Wong, David Wiley

[georgerickard]

To the young man who said that being a musician means he is a painter who paints with sound and emotion, thank you. What a profound and beautiful thought.

[AnyOldMusic]

"Music is not about perfection. It is about connection."

[BrianKrock]

I’m not crying, YOU’RE crying! You are an amazing person, Barnaby! (Your piece, btw, reminds me quite a bit of the music of John Hollenbeck.)

[robinhahnsopran]

Hi! I'm a professional opera singer and voice teacher. I can't thank you enough for sharing the amazing story of your work with these young musicians, and for sharing some of the beautiful music you made with them.

I can't really articulate why this video made me so emotional. I LOVE music and its power, and I miss it with all my soul.

Thank you for working creatively to bring it back into the world. ✨

[holliethomasmusic]

I can't believe I'm just seeing this, but what a beautiful and lifelong experience you have created for these young musicians. Just beautiful.

[Indie]

I'm starting to think that you are the reborn King Midas, because figuratively speaking, everything this man touches turns to gold.

Amazing you looking out for young musicians like this, and adding yet another great thing to your video and personal repertoire. Your stuff is great, man.

[finnogameslp]

Much thanks from Germany for your quality content. This video is really insightful and makes me hopeful to soon make music with others again!

[CaroLozar]

That was really cool; I didn't think it could comfort me that much to hear other musicians' experiences but i'm happy to have been reminded of just how powerful it is to have music in our lives. Great video, thanks for sharing :)

[alvarostockle]

For me, as a composer and, mostly, arrenger, being a musician allows me to express sides of myself that no other activity allows me to.

[wonjoonseo]

As a freshmen trumpet player in Mercer Island High School, I don’t have the experience or talent to say I understand what the difference was between 2019 to 2020. I can say however, playing as a musician is incredibly fun. It has made me a lot of friends, many who I hold closest to me, and some who I’ve met briefly, but I recognize their name and face whenever.

I have always loved playing the trumpet. It gives me joy whenever reminding me of all these different memories from 5th grade to now. This video truly, for what I say, hasn’t captured what it was like to stop playing from concerts every month, to a single performance in year. But that’s not because it’s a bad video. It’s because it cannot be captured in 10 minutes, but shown through years of playing and having fun in between.

This video is only a snapshot of how playing in a marching band can feel. Too many different emotions put into a single video is quite impossible. I believe however, that this snapshot is the one thing required to show what has happened and allows people to understand how we feel and provide sympathy. And with that I say, you are, not have made, but you are the masterpiece, Listening In.

[lindsaycole]

An amazing project and video. The link to the recording of the superb performance of Circles and Paths demonstrates a truly beautiful and exciting composition.

[Incredible_Mister_J]

You are now one of my favorite youtubers.

[nicolasyviquel]

Hey ! Thanks for your videos. They're all so inspiring and emotional! I've rewatched lots of films and went checking lots of art after watching them. I don't have much knowledge in music techniques but still, your videos make me see the pieces of art they talk about with a different eye and I love it!
I'd love it if you'd make videos about Sergio Leone's music, especially in movies such as Once upon a time in the West for example.
Keep up your amazing work, I hope it'll eventually become more and more visible on YouTube !

[skepticalfaith]

You chose the perfect quote to end this with.

[robertcameron-ellis]

Normally, I cry when you play the music. This time, I wept with joy hearing the musicians speak. How wonderful they all are.

[LouieTaylorMusic]

very touching! and a wonderful composition Barney!

[NohJackson]

I don’t understand all of it but I appreciate for broadening my perspective. thanks LI

[jordanlaquey]

I'm in band and we've been doing in person rehearsals all year and last year.

[rileymckinley]

Being a musician means we all have something fun and expressive to do for the rest of our lives

[SuperEgo]

Being a musician in 2021. Treat it like you’re a painter in your parlor doing it strictly for your own enjoyment. Any other grandiose ideas of widespread acceptance, wealth or fame will surely disappoint.