The Metropolitan Orchestra has been greatly missed since the Opera House first shut down. That is why New Yorkers everywhere were delighted to find the MET Orchestra performing for voters waiting on line in polls yesterday!
New York experienced a ton of surprises at polling sites this year from Paul Rudd passing out cookies, to Patti Smith giving a surprise performance. This only adds to the ongoing list of how New Yorkers stayed entertained while they awaited their chance to cast their ballot.
Man, do I love #NYC.
Every voting location should have musical accompaniment.Happening now at the David Rubenstein Atrium voting site! ^ @KariCello
cc @BrianLehrer @brianstelter @superwuster @ZephyrTeachout @gothamist @patkiernan @METOrchestra #ElectionDay #Election2020 pic.twitter.com/GzlZYYrW2v— Josh Weinberger (@kitson@masto.ai on Mastodon) (@kitson) November 3, 2020
Teaming up with PlayForTheVote, an organization encouraging voter turnout by creating a more positive voting experience at the polls with live musical performances across the country, the MET Orchestra played outside of the David Rubenstein Atrium on the Upper West Side for nearby voters to enjoy while waiting on line at the polls.
With some New Yorkers waiting hours on line to vote, the orchestra helped ease voter nerves and made for a more enjoyable wait. Musicians like Barbara Jostlein Currie (horn), Kari Jane Docter (cello), Katherine Fong (violin), and many more joined together for an inspiring performance that surely kept voters entertained.
Their Instagram shared a preview video of the Horns playing Mozart’s ‘Ave Verum’ in honor of late MET Musician and Violinist, Patmore Lewis.
Musical performances were put on in other major cities including Boston, Atlanta, and Chicago all organized by Play For the Vote. The organization gained so much success that they secured “over 100 musicians from 28 states” before even existing for more than a week!
New Yorkers were happy to once again hear the beautiful sounds of their beloved orchestra, as the MET Musicians, and those from Play For the Vote achieved their goal in bringing a positive atmosphere to polling sites this year!
See also: 10 Most Heartwarming Things That Happened During Voting In NYC
featured image source: playforthevote.com