Photo by Jerry Tang ’20
Preparing a series of songs and compositions perfect for the holiday season, the Music department held a number of events showcasing the musical talent of students on campus. Both singers and instrumentalists brought their renditions to old and new works, with some of the performed compositions even arranged by students. With all concerts led by musical coaches and Hamilton faculty, the Music department undeniably brought a well-received time of holiday cheer to the Hamilton community.
The weekend began with a Chamber Music Crawl on Dec. 1, where listeners had an opportunity to get both a musical tour of the Schambach Center and hear a set of both fun and beautiful performances. Each group, including the Brass, Saxophone, and Percussion Ensembles, as well as students from the Piano Duet Class, among others, were positioned in their own room to play a few pieces as audience members moved from room to room.
Some notable performances included a piano duet by Lindsay Luo ’20 and Sungmin Kim ’18, who performed Francis Poulenc’s “Sonata for Piano, Four Hands.” From the beginning, the rendition of the piece was visually compelling, with arms overlapping one another and fingers moving at a quick pacing, the two played with a feverish and intense energy that left even the piano shaking. Additionally, the Saxophone Ensemble performed three pieces, including “Sh-Boom,” which was arranged by student Anna Gagliardi ’21. A doo-wop song recorded in the 1950s but also made popular in Pixar’s film
Cars
, the performance was lighthearted and cheery.
Another event hosted by the Music department with various musical renditions was the Carols, Lullabies, and Love Songs concert on Dec. 2. Held by the Hamilton College Choir and College Hill Singers and conducted by Assistant Professor of Music Jace Saplan, performers sang works from Conrad Susa’s “Carols and Lullabies: Christmas in the Southwest.”
The concert began with a beautiful rendition of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” in honor of the late Professor of Music Samuel Pellman. With a photograph of Pellman projected onto the stage’s screen, performers stood in a circle holding hands while singing. Professor Saplan then introduced the concert with a speech thanking Pellman for leaving such a music legacy on the college campus.
After a piece arranged by student composer Nicholas Walters ’20 and conducted by the newly appointed Assistant Director Sungmin Kim ’18, the audience enjoyed a set of culturally and historically rich songs, especially as Professor Saplan provided background between all of the remaining pieces. Special features in the program included “Carols and Lullabies: Christmas in the Southwest” by Conrad Susa, a piece that honors carols and lullabies from Latin America, in addition to “Five Hebrew Love Songs” by Eric Whitacre.
The Jazz Ensemble also held their final concert of the year called “Big Band Bop2” on Dec. 4, with pieces from big band charts as well as student compositions. Professor of Music “Doc” Woods conducted the band and began them with an ironic first piece for a winter concert a selection arranged by Doc himself from “Summer Time.”
Every piece featured multiple solos by the student musicians, providing lively examples of the talent within so many in our college community. This was especially exemplified by a performance also arranged by Doc, from “My Funny Valentine.” During the piece, the band added in vocalist Chris Victor ’21 and included Anthony Reyes’ 20 playing the flute: a set of instrumentation that gave a exciting and dynamic shift to the concert. The concert also featured Aaron Dobieski ’19, who performed a soulful and eloquent piece accompanied by the rest of the band.
Even with the surprising lack of snow on the ground of Clinton, New York, the Music department was still able to give us a greater sense of the holiday and winter spirit with their beautiful and incredible performances. Other upcoming performances include the Hamilton College Orchestra’s winter concert led by Professor of Music Heather Buchman on Dec. 8 and the Department’s Student Soloists Concert on Dec. 9 — both of which will only continue to spread that musical cheer.
