The sound of instrumental music filled Harbeson Hall during the Piano Accompanying Recital on Friday. Students were given the opportunity to demonstrate their musical talent in a set of ten duets with the piano taking center stage.
The recital, directed by Laraine Stivers-Madden, had audience members listening attentively as the musicians played a variety of tunes ranging from classical to modern, including songs by Beethoven and Samuel Barber.
The show opened with a beautiful soprano and piano duet and continued on with several other instruments joining the pianists on stage. The instruments included the violin, the cello, and the clarinet.
The recital did not showcase only student talent. Two PCC instructors also had the chance to play their instrument of choice while a student-musician pounded the piano keys.
According to Stivers-Madden, faculty members Paul Stein, Steve Richards, and Raquel Jo Stoup join in performing alongside the students every two or three semesters.
At Friday’s recital, Richards played the cello and accompanied pianist Emil Iliev in a duo of songs from Johannes Brahms. Stein also joined the stage and played the violin while George Ramirez played piano.
Audience members who are familiar with the music were impressed with the sounds that were produced on the stage at Harbeson Hall.
“I’m here for an assignment for music appreciation class but I really like the performances so far. My favorites are the sonatas that feature the violins,” said Josh Lee, 18, film, during intermission.
Other audience members attended the recital for the first time but left pleased with the performances.
“This is my first time coming to a recital but it was really good,” said audience member Danielle Petro.
“The flute and the clarinet was the best but the piano was always nice to hear,” Petro added.
According to Stivers-Madden, students must demonstrate a high-level of understanding of their musical piece in order to perform at the recital that occurs at the end of every semester.
After the recital concluded with the audience applauding in unison, the director was pleased with the performances.
“I was happy students accomplished learning a work with musical certainty fed by their imaginations and developed a rapport performing in front of an audience,” said Stivers-Madden.
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