Students at SAS are consistently presented with piled assignments which build an abounded amount of pressure. Yet, after school on Monday, September 19, and Thursday, September 22, an opportunity for “StressAS” to alleviate stress emerged. Around twenty musicians, including string players, band players, pianists, and singers, came together in the high school band hall and performed a variety of pieces, ranging from Weber’s Concertino in Eb Major to Tchaikovsky’s “Melodie”.
The two formal recitals hosted by the Tri-M Music Honor Society, although receiving low audience, allowed the talented musicians of SAS to present their passion for music to our community. Audience members were also able to enjoy the music and forget about that project due tomorrow or the pile of test papers to grade.
A highlight of the two recitals was certainly senior Matthew Tung’s resplendent performance of Rachmaninoff’s “Hungarian Dance” on the violin. His accompanist senior Michelle Law commented that “his dedication for music was shown through his breathtaking playing. The intensity in the atmosphere amazed everyone, including myself.”
Another favorite was junior Steffi Ong’s melodious and ardent rendition of “Danza Danza Fanciulla Gentile”. Sophomore Claire Yu, a clarinetist who also performed at the recital, thought that “[Steffi’s] voice was heart warming and rung throughout the room. It really calmed me down and allowed me some time to forget about schoolwork.”
The dancing of bow on strings, fingers on keys, and melodies flowing out of voices: through the student performances of classical pieces, the recitals were a lapse of time where students, parents, and teachers alike were able to unwind and gain exposure to the roots of music. Director of the band and choir Ms. Karolina Pek illustrated how in the “last five years, the contemporary genre has been predominant in the recital series [hosted by Tri-M]. I felt our students needed to gain experience and be exposed to the masterworks of music. This recital is our first formal recital where we presented the masterworks—where all the roots of music lie.” She concluded that these two recitals were “the best recitals in quality I have ever seen in the twenty years I’ve been here at SAS.”
Allison Ma
The two formal recitals hosted by the Tri-M Music Honor Society, although receiving low audience, allowed the talented musicians of SAS to present their passion for music to our community. Audience members were also able to enjoy the music and forget about that project due tomorrow or the pile of test papers to grade.
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| Matthew Tung, taken by Albert Kao's mother |
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| Steffi Ong, taken by Jonathan Wong |
The dancing of bow on strings, fingers on keys, and melodies flowing out of voices: through the student performances of classical pieces, the recitals were a lapse of time where students, parents, and teachers alike were able to unwind and gain exposure to the roots of music. Director of the band and choir Ms. Karolina Pek illustrated how in the “last five years, the contemporary genre has been predominant in the recital series [hosted by Tri-M]. I felt our students needed to gain experience and be exposed to the masterworks of music. This recital is our first formal recital where we presented the masterworks—where all the roots of music lie.” She concluded that these two recitals were “the best recitals in quality I have ever seen in the twenty years I’ve been here at SAS.”
Allison Ma
