Chamber Music Recital Showcases Musicians
Freshman Diana Charlop performs at the Chamber Music Recital. Photo taken by Evangeline Giannopoulos.
February 2, 2012
By Christine Wong
Open to all students interested in performing chamber music under the standard repertoire, the annual Chamber Music Recital was held on Thursday, Jan. 26. Chamber music is usually played in small groups, not in full orchestras or bands. “It’s like a conversation in the language of music,” said music teacher Dr. Pamela Levy. Dr. Levy and Performing Arts Department Chair Mr. Michael Schwartz organized the event.
Additionally, the Music Community Outreach club helped prepare for the event and performed songs during the recital. According to junior Lauren S., the club “can be thought of as the mainstay of chamber nights and music events.”
Faculty members were not involved with selecting music; rather, students chose the pieces they performed, and many teamed up to practice and perform together. Preparing for the recital helped students learn new music, grow as people, and socialize with their peers; “it is a great experience for the students,” said Dr. Levy.
The Chamber Choir also sang at the recital. Additionally, students who were selected as winners of the Lincoln “Young Musicians Program” Chamber Music Competition performed. In the competition, groups of students selected and recorded pieces of music and submitted them to Lincoln Center for judgment.
Senior Ross Dispenza’s group will represent South as a winner of the competition. Dr. Levy believes that their “work and dedication…put them at the finish line.”
Dispenza played the viola in his group for Mozart’s “Clarinet Quintet Op. 83 K581.” He said, “Preparing our quintet required a lot of time and effort, but it was rewarding to have the opportunity to show our work to more people [at the recital]. The recital was also a great chance to prepare for our future performance at Lincoln Center in April.”
Lauren’s group also participated in the competition. Her group performed Franz Doppler’s “Adante and Rondo for Two Flutes and Piano” at the recital.
Mr. Schwartz encourages all musicians interested in chamber music to perform at next year’s event. He said, “We would love other students who have an interest in chamber music to come forward.”
