BRICK – It’s not every day you get to see a piano on the beach.
One recent evening Brick residents were treated to an experience for both the mind and the ears as composer and pianist Murray Hidary performed for a captivated audience. The event, billed as a “live, one-of-a-kind piano performance delivered directly through premium wireless headphones,” was organized by MindTravel, which specializes in unique live performances outdoors. Tickets were available through Eventbrite for a 2-hour concert on the sand at Brick Beach III.
MindTravel also states the experience will feature “a mindfulness-infused concert that brings you into presence and clarity.” The concept of live piano music, combined with the beauty of the beach and the personalization of wireless headphones, is meant to bring the listener into a meditative state.
As the audience walked up the beach, they saw a black piano surrounded by cut flowers and two cherry blossom trees. With the surf at high tide and a constant wind blowing into the waves, the scene was tranquil before you even put the headphones on. Lots of smiling people were picking out their spots while enjoying snacks brought from home. Participants were encouraged to bring a beach chair and a blanket, in case the wind kicked up.
People were getting their feet wet in the surf line before Hidary started to play. A few members were taking selfies and group photos in front of the waves. With the wind being so strong it limited any attacks by black flies.
Around 7:10 p.m. Hidary addressed the audience. His low, soothing voice described what it was to be in the moment. To enjoy the waves crashing in the background and to enjoy the performance any way they wanted to. This meant taking a walk up and down the beach while still enjoying the wireless headsets broadcasting his live performance.
He told the audience he liked to use one word to describe each performance. That day’s theme was “Hope,” which was spelled out by using light up ring discs off to the right of the piano.
As Hidary started to play, the audience began getting up to explore the beach. Some people walked into the water line while taking photos of the water. Some watched a handful of seagulls crashing into the water in search of food. Yet others stayed in their seats, some with eyes closed, taking in the music.
As the performance went on a few people went further down the waterline. Couples were embracing each other while others stood alone trying to concentrate on the music. A few people took seats on the tall lifeguard stands still standing from earlier in the day. Before long, soap bubbles were seen floating into the wind as the light up candles turned on around 8 p.m.
Prior to the concert, Hidary spoke to The Brick Times about the event and his background. “One thing people may not know is that music wasn’t my original career path. Before dedicating myself fully to music, I spent many years as an entrepreneur in the technology world.”
Hidary, who has performed around the globe, spoke about what inspired him to create this special type of experience. “The inspiration came from a profound personal experience I had many years ago while improvising at the piano. I noticed that when I stopped trying to perform and simply allowed the music to emerge naturally, something shifted. The music became less about me and more about creating a space where I could access a deeper sense of presence, reflection, and connection.”
Playing a piano on a beach, or any outdoor venue, can completely change the way one feels about the music. He said the elements are what moves the performance forward.
“The beach creates an entirely different experience. In a concert hall, the environment is carefully controlled. On the beach, nature becomes part of the performance. The sound of the waves, the breeze, the changing light of the sky, and the feeling of being connected to the horizon all influence the experience.”
He also spoke about his connection to the area before the performance. “The Jersey Shore is particularly special because I grew up spending summers here. I have a personal connection to the area and to the people, so in a way it feels like coming home.”
Outdoors concerts can be tricky, especially at the beach. Things like pop up showers and the ever-present bugs can ruin a day out. Add in the always possible technical difficulties of wireless electronics and it can seem like a losing battle. Hidary said he’s dealt with it all and it doesn’t deter him from performing his best.
“When you’re performing outdoors, you learn quickly that you have to surrender to the elements…We work hard to ensure every detail is seamless for participants, but producing a high-quality audio experience on a beach or in a park requires a tremendous amount of planning and coordination. That said, I’ve come to see these challenges as part of the beauty of the experience. Nature doesn’t always cooperate, and that’s a wonderful reminder that life itself isn’t meant to be perfectly controlled. Sometimes the most memorable moments happen because of the unexpected,” he said.
When asked about what he wants the audience to take away from his performances, Hidary spoke from the heart. “I want people to know that these events are for everyone. You don’t need any musical background, meditation experience, or special knowledge to attend. At a time when so much of our lives is spent looking at screens and moving from one distraction to the next, these experiences offer a rare opportunity to slow down and simply be present. For a couple of hours, people can disconnect from the noise and reconnect with themselves, their community, and the natural world around them.”
“I’m especially excited to bring MindTravel to Brick Township and the Jersey Shore,” he said. “My hope is that people leave feeling lighter, more inspired, and more present than when they arrived.”
On his website, Hidary offers other types of experiences such as a SilentWalk, with listeners hiking or simply walking through their favorite park while listening to the music. MindTravel also offers Underwater Meditation, where listeners can float in a pool while absorbing music via speakers from Lubell Labs.
The MindTravel outdoor concerts will be touring through the end of July. Hidary said he has big plans after his last show on July 31st in Cocoa Beach, FL. “On a more personal note, just after we wrap these performances on the East Coast, I fly with my entire family to the UK to get married! I’m looking forward to a brief hiatus as my fiancé and I embark on our new life together.”
You can learn more about Murray Hidary and MindTravel music at mindtravel.com.
The post Listeners Embrace The Shore At Brick’s “Silent Piano” Concert appeared first on Jersey Shore Online.