“Nick and Julia: The Start of Something Big,” SUNY Oswego’s live event marked the first in-person music series of the season on Oct. 13 in Sheldon Ballroom during the ongoing pandemic.

In terms of performing during COVID-19, Ziobro said, “Virtual concerts became the norm for a while.” 

For over a year, Central New York natives Nick Ziobro and Julia Goodwin had been unable to work in theaters and clubs. Ziobro spent time during COVID-19 “working as an elementary school substitute teacher.” This is something Ziobro never thought he would be able to do, and found it enjoyable. 

Robert Ackerman, usher of the concert and senior music major at SUNY Oswego, said that this concert was one of the first in-person ARTSwego concerts since spring 2020. Last year “all of the concerts were online” and the quality of those concerts could be subpar, Ackerman said. 

“Some of those performances had terrible audio quality or bad design for an online concert,” Ackerman said. 

In addition, the ushering was impacted by the pandemic. Ackerman, as well as the other ushers, were “tasked with scanning tickets and helping attendees scan the virtual program instead of handing out programs.” The tickets were scannable QR codes, audience members got bracelets to prove they were safe from COVID-19, and those at the Sheldon Ballroom wore masks as another safety precaution.

Although ushering was very different, it was not much more difficult, Ackerman said. He said older generations were not as fond of or as well-versed in the change to a digital program. While programs with the explanations of the performers are not necessarily needed for the audience to enjoy the show. 

Ackerman said he ultimately thinks that people will conform to the new technology, or “learn to live without the advantages that the [advancements in technology] bring.” 

“It was only a small number of attendees who had any sort of adverse reaction to the use of QR codes,” Ackerman said. 

Ziobro and Goodwin’s performance at SUNY Oswego was the first SUNY school they performed at together. They have performed together, and previously all over the world. 

“We’ve performed in various clubs and theaters in NYC, such as Birdland, Feinstein’s at 54 Below, Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center,” Ziobro said. “We’ve also worked with different symphonies across the country, like Symphoria, the Naples Philharmonic, the Pasadena Pops and so much more.” Due to the ongoing pandemic, more opportunities to perform will be available.

 Ziobro and Goodwin worked with Rob Auler, SUNY Oswego’s piano and music professor, with Symphoria, (Central New York’s Professional Orchestra) earlier this year. At Symphoria, Ziobro and Goodwin performed. Since the regular conductor was unable to make the show due to quarantine, Auler served as the music director, conducting and playing from the piano as Ziobro and Goodwin sang with orchestral accompaniment. 

“It was a true highlight to work with such talented and incredible people,” Auler said and asked Goodwin and Ziobro to perform here at SUNY Oswego.

While Goodwin and Ziobro perform all over the country and all over the world, they are “from CNY [Central New York] and have roots here,” Auler said. Although Ziobro is currently living in NYC, he was still excited to “return home to CNY” and Goodwin, according to Auler, still lives in the area. 

“With COVID and travel difficulties, one huge focus was finding artists with local ties to make COVID logistics much easier,” Auler said. 

Goodwin and Ziobro “met doing community theater in Syracuse” when they were about 11 and 13 years old. It was a few years later when they decided to put together their own show. They both toured and performed with Michael Feinstein, Ziobro said. 

In fact, Ziobro’s biggest inspiration is Feinstein himself.

 “His passion for preserving the Great American Songbook for future generations is so admirable,” Ziobro said. “I would love to continue to work as a performer and preserve this music and style for generations to come,” explained Ziobro. “I love everything from jazz, rock, pop, Indie and R&B,” Ziobro said. 

Ziobro and Goodwin performed a majority of songs from the Great American Songbook at the concert, some of which include: “It’s Too Late,” a Sammy Davis Jr. Medley, “Feeling Good,” “I Won’t Dance,” “The Start of Something Big” and many more classic and jazzy songs. 

Moreover, Ziobro came up with an album seven years ago called “A Lot of Livin To Do” featuring many Great American Songbook standards. 

Overall, the concert had “far more attendees than a typical pre-COVID concert,” according to Ackerman. 

“The fact that they had to bring out more chairs is a hopeful sign that people are still very much interested in seeing live musical performances,” Ackerman said.

Although SUNY Oswego does not typically have the same people back the next year in light of featuring other performers, Auler said he would love to work with Goodwin and Ziobro again. In the end, he and Goodwin, according to Ziobro himself, “ had such a blast! Thanks for having such a great time with us!” 

Image via Artswego‘s Instagram Page