Recently released from Playground Sessions is the largest Global Piano Recital in history. People from all over the world came together to learn how to play “You Raise Me Up” through a free trial of the app. More than 7,000 people from more than 50 countries participated, resulting in a video compilation of the song.
The company was founded by Chris Vance ’94, who wanted to learn how to play the piano.
Playground Sessions' software teaches the user how to play the piano with interactive lessons. The technology provides interactive feedback. When a note is played correctly it turns green; play it wrong and it turns red. Play it with the wrong rhythm, and it turns pink.
Launched as the world faces the coronavirus pandemic, Vance said the song “is reflective of a growing desire to provide inspiration through music.” He recently posted on Facebook: "Music is powerful. Learning is powerful. The combination of the two is beyond powerful!"
Vance is the CEO. Quincy Jones, the famous producer and musician who has more Grammy Award nominations than anyone in history, is the co-creator. One of the teachers is the famous singer/pianist Harry Connick Jr.
“In the midst of uncertainty I hope this gift of music can do for you what it has done for me time and time again, shed some light, hope, and provide a space for expression when it’s difficult to find the right words,” Jones said.
The video can be found here.