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Local musicians reveal their lockdown secrets to ...Stay Safe, Stay Awake and Beat the Virus.

Bands trying to bounce ideas off one another live, choirs trying to be microsecond accurate... can computers ever deliver the goods?

We showcase some brilliant results and some of the mildly hysterical moments along the way, where digital latency can create sounds more like Malcolm McLaren than Mozart.

Presenting local bands and choirs making virtual music -

- Meze Mundo, who normally play in street carnivals and festivals, using their phones to create six stunning videos with brand new tunes;

- Little Big Blue Band, in their new fiddle, mandolin and cello line-up, learning their parts through exchange and montage of recordings;

- Newcastle Choral Society plus Hertfordshire Chorus, 60+ singers in a contemporary virtual work celebrating Codebreaker Alan Turing and the VE75 anniversary;

- Side Café Orkestar, who have just made their first Klezmer and Balkan inspired virtual recordings;

- Tyne Valley Big Band have also just posted their first online virtual jazz gig, 'Vehicle';

- Benedict Biscop Gregorian Choir have just started work on virtual music-making, we listen in to their a capella 'Pater noster' (Lord's prayer).

As well as the music, there will be interviews with band members and choir directors Mark Anyan and Jonathan Adams, with encouragement and tips to help you 'give it a go.’

Join presenters Ken Pollard and Ken Patterson to explore how virtual music-making in lockdown can be a life saver, curbing isolation and maintaining hope.

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