Greek Composer Writes Touching Song For Friends Fighting Covid-19 in NY

Greek composer and performer Pericles Kanaris, who is also a lecturer at New York University (NYU), recently wrote a song dedicated to all those fighting coronavirus.

Titled “Hang In There” the song is dedicated to all those who are deeply affected, either being sick or losing someone or being in the front lines, risking their lives to save others.

Kanaris tells Greek Reporter that he had five “dear friends” of his, including one at ICU, fighting Covid-19.

“At the same time, in Elmhurst, Queens, 10 minutes away from where I live, people were dying by the hundreds in the epicenter of the virus in New York. I felt unable to help and overwhelmed with anxiety. In an effort to release the psychological burden, I wrote this song. It was my way of being there for them.”

Kanaris, who provides instruction to a ground-breaking new course at NYU exploring the historical origins of Greek Rebetiko and American Blues, says that “like many of my fellow artists do these days, I decided to share this message with the world through social media.”

“The response was immediate and very emotional. I am receiving messages daily from people around the world who thank me for the song because they share the same burden,” he tells Greek Reporter.

Kanaris says that he was particularly touched by a response he received from a very accomplished psychotherapist in NY who wrote, “this song is very hopeful and meaningful in its message. This song for me speaks to the need for us all to feel that we are part of something greater – the solution. And that each of us is contributing to the solution in this case by staying home. It has a universal message of overcoming.”

The composer says that he is “really thankful for having music as an outlet for expressing my emotions.

“It’s a form of therapy and though I usually write music to other people’s poetry, this is my most special moment as a composer because I have been able to directly touch my audience in a meaningful way while also contributing to a wider cause. It’s a true blessing and I want to thank everyone who shared the song and its message.”