The student news site of Carlmont High School in Belmont, California.

Scot Scoop News

The student news site of Carlmont High School in Belmont, California.

Scot Scoop News

The student news site of Carlmont High School in Belmont, California.

Scot Scoop News

Chamber Music Night impresses

A+woodwind+quintet+including+Joyce+Ling+%28left%29%2C+Franklin+Rice+%28middle%29%2C+and+Christina+Galisatus+%28right%29+finishes+performing+The+Pink+Panther.
A woodwind quintet including Joyce Ling (left), Franklin Rice (middle), and Christina Galisatus (right) finishes performing “The Pink Panther.”

On Friday, Feb. 28, Carlmont’s Chamber Music Night entertained its audience with a wide range of musical styles, including classical, jazz, and even a Pink Floyd cover.

Senior Andrew Sohrabi said, “The variety of style kept me engaged throughout the night and felt refreshing compared to a typical concert.”

Sophomore Teyva Chee (left) and junior Caitlin Tsai (right) play together in the first of three string quartets.
Sophomore Teyva Chee (left) and junior Caitlin Tsai (right) play together in the first of three string quartets.

The first half of the concert had more classical pieces.

Sophomore Kelly Song, accompanied by Anna Khaydarova on piano, played “Schindler’s List” on violin early in the concert.

This was Song’s first time performing in Chamber Music Night. “It was a good experience [that] helped me develop performance skills,” she said.

After a brief intermission, during which the audience (and performers) enjoyed desserts, the music style shifted.

Students performed covers of “The Great Gig in the Sky” (by Pink Floyd), “Secrets” (by OneRepublic), and “Funeral for a Friend” (by Elton John).

In a last-minute program change, Christina Galisatus filled in for a missing performer, playing French horn in a large brass ensemble.

Galisatus, who performed last weekend in an all-state honors band at a music educator’s conference, said, “I got the music 10 minutes before we played.”

Sohrabi said, “[I couldn’t tell] at all. She’s a talented musician. Knowing her, she probably didn’t even need the 10-minute notice.”

Galisatus was not the only successful addition to this group. Another was that of Assistant Instrumental Music Director Lieven Smart as the brass combo’s conductor.

Galisatus said, “Chamber Music Night has traditionally been comprised of all self-led groups. This is the first year that a group had a conductor. Due to the size [of the group] and difference of parts between each instrument, it was necessary to have someone lead.”

The group, with Galisatus sight-reading, played “Canzon Septimi Toni: No. 2” with four brass players on each side of the stage. This created the echoes that characterize chamber music.

The night ended with three jazzier pieces, including Henry Mancini’s “The Pink Panther” and Herbie Hancock’s “Tell Me a Bedtime Story.” The last piece of the night was Michael Camilo’s “Not Yet,” arranged by the performers themselves.

Sohrabi said, “It was a memorable night of fantastic talent and musicianship.”

Cellist Zhenya Farrington is accompanied by Rebecca Medina on piano.
Cellist Zhenya Farrington plays while accompanied by Rebecca Medina on piano.
About the Contributor
Sarah Schisla
Sarah Schisla, Scot Scoop Editor-in-Chief
Sarah Schisla is currently a senior at Carlmont High School. She is the Editor-in-Chief of Scot Scoop and a staff writer for The Highlander. Her portfolio can be found at: schislajournalism.webs.com/ @SarahSchisla

Comments (0)

We invite comments and responses to our content. Comments that are deemed appropriate and relevant will be published.
All Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Activate Search
The student news site of Carlmont High School in Belmont, California.
Chamber Music Night impresses