When Erin Shields sang "Being Alive, " a popular song from the Broadway show "Company, " the song had extra levels of meaning.
Shields and her husband David Shenton are touring musicians. They could not perform around the world during the coronavirus pandemic. So they broadcast virtual concerts from home to raise money for the Mosaic West Queens Church in New York City. The concerts brought thousands of dollars to the church to help feed hungry people living in the neighborhood. They also gave the two musicians a chance to continue their artistic lives.
It began when they saw the long lines of people waiting for food outside the church near their home. Several of their friends had lost jobs after Broadway theaters closed. And they felt the need to help.
In September, they volunteered at the church to give away boxes of food to families two times a week. As time passed, they felt the need to do more for others during the pandemic. "I'm not a doctor ... I don't really have much to offer. But you know, we can perform," said Shields.
She is an opera singer from the American state of Illinois. Her husband Shenton is a British composer, pianist and violinist. And their artistic friends were willing to join for a good cause.
"We have all these connections to Broadway singers outside of their work on Broadway so we wanted to capitalize on that," Shenton said.
During a recent virtual concert, smiling families, watching on their computers at home, clapped and sang along. Among the performers were Broadway musicians known for their work in shows such as "Hamilton" and "The Little Mermaid" as well as "Les Miserables."
Shields said volunteering became especially important last year when New York turned into the center of the pandemic. "If you're feeling low, volunteer, give back to other people, because it will make you feel better, " Shields said.