Music in Times of Crisis

The Ukrainian Chorus Dumka of New York performs on Saturday Night Live.

I know the war in Ukraine is not much different from Syria, or Iraq, or Afghanistan. There are global forces acting on national security interests, businesses angling to profit from the conflict, and individuals acting out of fear or megalomania. These forces existed in previous conflicts, they exist in this war, and they will undoubtedly (and unfortunately) persist.

I am not going to pretend to know much about Ukraine, or to know the culture or their music. But, I am sure there are hundreds of thousands of musicians in Ukraine trying to get out, or staying to fight, or huddling in makeshift bomb shelters along with their fellow citizens, hoping they can weather this terrible war. I think of them, and of their families.

I hope those musicians find safety. I hope they find solace in their songs. And I hope they have the strength to share that solace with those around them.