"The Ecological Crisis is Here" (Online Swap)

Performances through Zoom

PMN Members may use this registration form to sign up to share a song or a poem during this online event.  All PMN members who register to perform will receive an e-mail message with a link to PMN's Zoom video conference account.  Everyone performs through their own computer connection. 

In this video conference event, PMN members are invited to share songs or poems in recognition of Earth Day.  Our theme is: "It's 2020 and The Ecological Crisis is Here".  This is the first time PMN has used the online song and poetry swap format to emphasize a specific theme.  Please consider the theme when choosing your song or poem.  We are looking for songs that embody an awareness that human survival depends on and ecological relationship with the rest of the natural world.  We are also looking for songs that call out those institutions, such as the fossil fuel industry, the military, agribusiness and others, which are undermining the ecological relationships upon which our lives depend. 

Eligibility to Perform

Performers in this swap must:

1. be PMN members in good standing* 
2. register using this form
3. have a computer with functioning video camera and microphone.**

* If you are not a PMN member, you may join here: https://www.peoplesmusic.org/join-PMN

** Using your computer's built in mic with Zoom's default audio settings is sufficient to participate and be heard.  The sound of a person singing normally comes across on Zoom somewhat better than a telephone.  However, Zoom's default audio compression filters cause the audio for musical instruments to be poor.  These filters are effective at eliminating background noise, but they also distort the frequencies of musical instruments.  Using a headset with a built in mic will focus the sound of your voice, because it puts the mic closer to your mouth, but it won't improve the audio quality of instruments.  It is possible to significantly improve the audio quality of both voice and instruments by using an external USB mic or a USB audio interface device.  Once you have the hardware in place, there is a setting in Zoom called "enable original sound", which removes Zoom's default audio compression.  Learning these tools helps improve the sound of your performance.  Please see here for a useful tutorial on changing the audio settings in Zoom for music. 

A Note on Selection

Every PMN member wishing to perform at this event is invited to register and to do so sooner than later.  Selection for the final performer list will give priority to new PMN members as well as PMN members who have not yet performed in one of our previous online swap events.  We plan to hold these song swap events regularly.  Anticipate more opportunities!

Broadcast through Facebook Live

PMN will broadcast the swap using Facebook Live. Anyone may tune in to the live braodcast at no cost, via PMN's Facebook Page, which is https://www.facebook.com/Peoples.Music.Network/

Directions for tuning in: Go to PMN's Facebook Page, and scroll down until you find the video post with the word “Live” in the upper right corner. Click to open it and un-mute the audio.  (Note: The livestream post won't pop up on the PMN page until 7:30pm (EST) on the night of the event.  If it is after 7:30pm EST and you don't see the livestream right away, keep scrolling further down until you see it.)

After the event, click on the “Videos” tab on the left side of the page to access a recording of the event.

Help Publicize!

Tell your friends how they can tune into this online musical event for progressive culture.  Share this event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/3218341158185004/

This is the link where you can find the performer list, which becomes available by the morning of Wednesday, April 22.