SelectScience musician becomes TikTok sensation with soothing series to ease the stress of lockdown

SelectScience’s resident musician Alexander Joseph has been making the most of the COVID-19 lockdown by composing a series of captivating arrangements to share with the wider public during these challenging times.

In keeping with the company’s focus on mental health and efforts to nurture a supportive environment for the team as it works remotely through the pandemic, Alexander has released a new collection of freely-available piano pieces that aim to help soothe and calm listeners.

The benefits of listening to music are many: as well as being entertaining and a source of pleasure – research has shown it releases dopamine, the feelgood chemical in your brain – music can influence your feelings and thoughts, reduce stress, relax the mind, raise spirits and energy levels, and even help make people healthier and better able to manage pain—not to mention the so-called "Mozart effect,” which shows how music can improve cognitive performance.

It was with the mental health aspects especially in mind that singer-songwriter Alexander set about compiling his new series.

He said: “ This year has been really tough for many. I found some tranquillity in composing these pieces and if my music helps jut a few others to find a little momentary peace, then it will be all the more rewarding.”

The music has certainly proved a big hit across social media, especially on TikTok, where Alexander has already accrued over 70,000 likes and 6,800 followers in just four days since going live. Especially popular has been his version of Beethoven’s Für Elise which has already been played over 288,000 times.

Many of you would have seen Alexander performing at the Scientists’ Choice Awards, most recently at Pittcon 2020, which was held in Chicago just before the world went into lockdown.

Celebrating the best new lab products of 2020, the awards have now gone virtual. Nominations opened this week and the winners will be announced during the SelectScience Virtual Summits throughout 2021.

But don’t worry, you won’t have to wait until then to hear Alexander’s work, you can listen to his music on TikTok at any time – and look out for more arrangements, coming soon.

For more information on mental health and COVID, visit Bath Mind here>>