You know that special feeling you get when someone gives you a gift, and you can tell that they’ve put the time and care into choosing something deeply meaningful that you’ll love? That’s the feeling we’re going for here.
Whoa, What a Year It's Been!
We've been quiet for a while. But don't worry, we've been working behind the scenes. It’s been over a year since the first lockdown effectively shut down the arts scene in Toronto, and it’s becoming clear that it will be a while before we return to indoor concerts in the formats we used to enjoy. Many musicians are effectively out of work, and music lovers are left longing for that sense of emotional connection that comes from an inspiring performance. We also know that many people don’t have access to live music even in the best of circumstances, whether it’s because they live in a remote area, don’t have the time, or face other barriers to accessing traditional live performance.
Well, we’ve been thinking about these problems and we’ve come up with a solution that will bring meaningful musical experiences to people without compromising anyone’s safety, while providing some much-needed work for the incredible artists that live in our city.
Introducing: Mind Music
Mind Music sessions are 30-minute one-on-one online performances combined with conversation that offer a new way for audience members to engage with musicians online. Unlike a typical livestream concert, a Mind Music concert allows for spontaneous two-way communication, interweaving a professional performance with a social visit using video conferencing software. You can attend alone or with your whole household, but for this half hour, it's just you and the musician.
How Technology can Make Live Music Available to More People
By offering these personal performances online, we hope to reach people we wouldn't otherwise reach. Many people are living in isolation, in remote communities, or living with a disability that makes it difficult for them to access typical live events. Parents with young children also often find it difficult to find events that are available to the whole family. There are also plenty of people who are hard of hearing who can now use headphones to listen, and we're offering live transcription (closed captioning) to improve speech comprehension. Tapping into the diverse community of incredible musicians that call Toronto home, we're also able to offer concerts and conversations in multiple languages. Every one of these benefits serves our mission of using music to create genuine human connections .
You know that special feeling you get when someone gives you a gift, and you can tell that they’ve put the time and care into choosing something deeply meaningful that you’ll love? That’s the feeling we’re going for here. Expanding our Artistic Offerings
Until recently, Pocket Concerts has focused on classical chamber music, but now we’ve built a diverse roster of talented and friendly local musicians who are masters of world music, jazz, classical, folk, and more. This is the best way we can think of to represent the rich and various cultures in Toronto, break free from the limitations of genre, and become a more inclusive organization.
Our goal is to lift people’s spirits and create authentic, meaningful listening experiences through the power of direct musical communication. The more we connect, the stronger our community becomes, so if you know someone who would love a Mind Music concert, please spread the word!
Acknowledgements
We acknowledge that the land we operate on is the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat Peoples and is now home to many diverse Indigenous Peoples. We also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit.
We would also like to acknowledge the inspiration we received from our friends Yolanda Bruno and Dominique Laplante, who were among the first people we know who used video conferencing software to connect musicians directly with listeners in this deeply personal way.