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.”
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.”
