Despite the troubles brought on by the pandemic, music still carries happiness in many households. The aspect of quarantine brings a new sense of appreciation for music as family members are able to listen to each other more often and closely. When students were forced to quarantine early in March 2020, many aspiring musicians felt despair as concerts were canceled and they were no longer able to make music with others. For me, I missed sitting next to my piano teacher and joking around while learning music. It was my safe space. I was nervous to take class from home, with my teacher on a screen and my parents listening right behind me. But what I didn’t expect was an outpour of compliments and happiness as they hear me play more often.

I missed spending Monday evenings with my friends in Voce De Coeli, and I even missed dragging my tired feet to choir at 7:30 every morning. Singing by myself in a room wasn’t the same. But as I sat in my room rehearsing my music, I realized that just below me, my sister was singing as well. It had never occurred to me that my family could be my audience as well as my partner.

With more time to spend indoors in quarantine, my sister began to play her violin more often, and my brother practiced playing the trombone. My mom, who hadn’t touched a veena in years, finally sat down and played us a song. Although we were separated from our friends and teachers in school, we were pushed closer to our family, resulting in a rekindled joy of music.