Photo by Greg Clark | Pianist Alexander Ray begins the music convocation, captivating the audience.
The music department showcased many instrumental and vocal solo and duet performances by students within the department during their Nov. 8 music convocation.
Pianist Alexander Ray started off the afternoon’s performances with “Sonata in C# minor, op. 27, no. 2” by L. van Beethoven. The piece was presto agitato, which means “very quick and with excitement.” Ray successfully played the piece with a fast tempo that consisted of rapid and accelerated movements. His face and posture showed that he was committed to this performance, his fingers flying across the piano throughout the piece.
The second performance was by Molly Vallee, a flutist. She performed “Concerto in E minor” by Saverio Mercadante. The piece was allegro maestoso meaning “fast and lively.” Vallee kept the tone very energetic throughout the whole piece. She was accompanied by Gayane Darakyan on piano. The piano and the flute parts were well balanced as Vallee played the rapid sequences of notes.
“Playing in convocation for me, although a very nerve-wracking and different experience, was also in a way very empowering,” Vallee said. “Even as a freshman, I have something to offer and I was so happy to be able to show that to my peers. It made me feel really good to perform something I had worked so hard on. I loved the experience and can’t wait to do it again next semester.”
Samantha Terlaga followed up Vallee with her performance of “Improvisation 3” by Ryo Noda on the alto saxophone. The tone was already very different than the others, as the lights faded to an orange tone, leaving only her and the small light on her stand clear to the audience. The song was meant to mimic the Shakuhachi, a Japanese flute. The song emphasizes variation and subtlety while you play the instrument. Terlaga was able to make the audience feel intrigued, waiting to hear every next line of notes. The song simultaneously felt a little eerie, yet soft and elegant.
Afterward, Sarah Jarry, a mezzo-soprano singer took the stage. She performed “Canción De Cuna Para Dormir A un Negrito” and “Canto Negro,” by Xavier Montsalvatge. She was accompanied by Gayane Darakyan on the piano. Jarry’s voice was easily heard over the supporting piano part. The first song was very slow and calm. The second song showed a great contrast as it became much faster and livelier.
“All the wondrous sounds and songs you hear are the efforts of not only us, the students, but those around us that help guide us to become the musicians we aspire to be,” Jarry said. “This performance will be one of many, but I felt extreme joy while on stage and I’m glad that I could put a smile on not only my face but all the fantastic people around me.”
The next performer was Nicholas Schleyer, a pianist. He played “Invention No. 1 in C Major BVW 772” by J.S. Bach and “Sonata in C Major, K545,” by W.A. Mozart. He described the first song as Allegro or a brisk tempo. He maintained an upbeat feel for the first piece. The second piece was described as andante or a moderately slow tempo. He stayed true to his description through the second piece as well, slowing it down.
Baritone saxophonist Timothy Hecker played “Suite No. 4 in Eb Major BWV 1010,” by J.S. Bach. The song has several octave changes throughout it. It was originally designed for a cello, making the choice to play it on a saxophone stand out. This brought a different feel to the famous suite.
The final performance was a duet featuring Collin Tyrell on the bass trombone, and Brandi Lane on the horn. They played “Devil’s Waltz” by Steven Verheist. The two performers complimented each other very well, giving off an eerie, yet elegant dance feel.
The question and answer session mostly focused on discussing the preparation for the performances. The performers discussed their pre-concert thoughts and mindsets. Each musician was also given a chance to comment on the challenge of memorization. The session forced the students to analyze the process of a recital, separating the steps of choosing a song, preparing the song and finally performing the song.
Music convocations occur on Thursday at 12:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center Concert Hall. The next one will be on Nov. 29. Admission is always free.