Album explores COVID experience

University of North Georgia (UNG) music faculty member and violinist Dr. Serena Scibelli turned the COVID-19 pandemic into a time to create a music album.

"It was kind of a dream for me. You are always busy working and performing," she said. "This was the right moment for me to make an album. If I didn't record it now, when would I do it?"

Scibelli collaborated with five American composers to make "Reflections," a title she said shows how the album offers a snapshot of her life during the pandemic. In addition to the five songs from the current composers, she played the first movements of Bach's three solo violin sonatas and concluded the album with Kenji Bunch's "Until Next Time."

The Livorno, Italy, native sought to tap into the pandemic and social unrest to create an album that shined a light on what people were experiencing.

"I was motivated by the need to create beauty anew in the midst of great social turbulence and sorrow," she said. "This album merges my European heritage with American diversity."

The album is available for purchase on Scibelli's website.

While the album marked a personal milestone for Scibelli, she also included audio of the modern composers explaining their piece along with each song.

"I wanted to give a voice to the composers," Scibelli said.