WMU, medical professionals, Broadway stars unite in song for COVID-19 relief funds
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Western Michigan University 's director of music theatre performance Jay Berkow united 60 Broadway stars to join nurses and doctors from across the country in singing a song he wrote, called "Resilient."
They released a music video to raise money for three national charities benefiting frontline health care workers.
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Along with his writing partner Dave Ogrin, Berkow created the song "Resilient" for their new musical "Mata Hari."
"I said to Dave, this is the time. We have this beautiful song. It's really inspirational," Berkow said. "And it's different from a lot of inspirational songs because it's not a kind of a 'Kumbaya, sit back and hope the world gets better.' It's a fight song, and in its own way, it's about making your world better – fighting and being resilient."
Berkow said he played the song for his friends, many of whom are frontline nurses and, as it turns out, talented singers. They were inspired to sing "Resilient" and make a special music video to help during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic – an undertaking they called the Resilient Project.
The video premiered during National Nurses Week to benefit The American College of Emergency Physicians, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS' COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund, and The Emergency Nurses Association.
“I feel like this song, for me personally, it’s a message that makes me want to get up every day and not let the world overwhelm me," Berkow said.
Berkow said he and his team spent 90 hours of combined music editing to create the video featuring dozens of singers from dozens of different locations.
The Resilient Project has additional updates and information on its Facebook page and website.
"I am responsible for about 60 students in my program at Western. Regardless of what the world is throwing at us right now, we will be resilient." Berkow said. "We’re going to keep crafting our art. We’re going to keep inspiring other people. We’re going to keep singing and we’re gonna get through this together.”
Read more:
- WMed doctor writes, sings song to honor American doctors
- COVID-19 pandemic inspires Mattawan girl to write songs
- GVSU student writes song for 2020 graduates
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