On Sunday, Apr. 4, 2021, the Andrews University Department of Music put on a concert featuring music written and performed by students. The program, hosted by Max Keller, opened with the piece “Reflexion,” composed by Ludwig Natchimie (graduate, music). Utilizing a phonic setting and the repeated words “20-20 vision,” this piece captured both the cheerful and darker moments of the past year.
Next, Nicole Powers’ (sophomore, music) “The Enchantment” took listeners first on a whimsical, auditory journey through an enchanted forest. The piece was performed by Emily Jurek (sophomore, piano performance) on the piano. Then, Daley Lin’s (junior, music performance) quartet piece “Awakening from Hibernation” visualized animals awakening from rest. The fourth piece of the program, Andrew Pak’s (sophomore, music performance) “Wings,” showcased Beta Siriwattanakamol’s (senior, music education) mezzo-soprano voice accompanied by Diego Duran (sophomore, music performance) on the piano.
Based off of Acts 7’s account of Stephen’s martyrdom, Lorian Guillaume’s (senior, music) guitar performance of her own piece, “Stephen’s Stoning,” came next with harmonies capturing both the honor and horror of the stoning scene. Next, Daniel Soochkoff-Cerna’s (sophomore, music education) “Concerto for Clarinet and Strings'' contrasted a slow and floating clarinet in the first movement and quick, extreme dynamics in the second. Then, “Carousel,” Ms. Powers’ second piece of the evening, featured Caralynn Chan (junior, speech-language pathology) on the harp with a waltz-like rhythm meant to mimic a spinning carousel. To conclude the concert, a string quartet performed Kaija Perry’s (graduate, music) piece “The Death of a Dream.”
Speaking about her performance and collaboration with Ms. Powers, Ms. Chan commented, “I prepared for this song three weeks in advance. The composer was quite receptive to my feedback on how to add embellishments to the repertoire, as well as how to make it more harp friendly.” Ms. Chan said that she tried to remain relaxed during the performance in an effort to create the desired mood. “We discussed tempos and what kind of nostalgic mood she wanted me to convey through the piece, while finding ways to let me infuse my own style and flair to the piece,” she explained.
Overall, the performances highlighted the talent within the Department of Music. Zoe Shui (sophomore, violin performance) noted, “this concert was a showcase for the works of the incredible composers studying here at Andrews. Through its numerous concerts and programs, the music department offers opportunities for Andrews’s students to enjoy, appreciate, and expand their knowledge about music.” She added, “the extended harmonies and the creative techniques the composers developed for performing were my favorite elements of the evening.” Anneliese Tessalee (freshman, chemistry) commented, “I enjoyed the unique and diverse styles of each piece. I was blown away by the various elements that were incorporated. The music was so beautifully and meticulously formulated by each composer and delivered wonderfully by the performers.”
The concert also presented an opportunity for many students to show support for their friends and for the Department of Music as a whole. Ms. Chan said, “I liked supporting and watching my friends and colleagues from the music department, orchestra, and wind symphony showcase their compositions and performance.” Similarly, Ms. Tessalee commented, “the Department of Music brings life to the AU campus in a special way. Music in general brings people together in a way that no other medium can because it has the capacity to reach all people in every field of study. Music is what gives the AU campus an essential spark of life and human connection.”
This concert can still be viewed on the Department of Music Facebook page. Additionally, check out the Department of Music Facebook home page for updates on concerts in April.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.