Musical Magic in the Dining Room

Thursday evening , in the Country Day Dining Room, a standing room only audience enjoyed the 7th Annual Upper School Chamber Concert. Unlike the fall and spring chorale and instrumental concerts, where the choice of music is primarily made by the teachers, for this chamber concert the students were challenged to find their own music, as well as form their own eclectic groups, and find a way to arrange their choice for their own unique blend of instruments. From Beyonce to Bach, the students made choices that were interesting, fresh, and beautiful.

Nearly fifty musicians, one-fifth of our upper school, performed, many of them more than once, on different instruments, some singing as well as playing, a wide variety of music -- eighteen pieces in all, mostly arranged by the students themselves. Parents and classmates of the musicians and singers had great fun seeing them in starring roles for their own pieces. I have attached the program so that you can see for yourself the variety of the music and the names of the students who performed.

As I listened and watched group after group perform amazing music, it occurred to me that for this to happen the music teachers had to encourage the individual students to be creative, to take risks, and to cooperate and collaborate -- all life skills needed to succeed in the 21st century. This sort of intellectual activity happens in classrooms all across Country Day throughout the school year, but rarely do we see it in such a public and joyous setting -- just one more thing that makes Country Day a unique and wonderful place.

When you see them please thank our music teachers, Katie Antis, Laurie Gardner, and Claire Conti, for giving these "talented young people" (as our Mission says) the opportunity to showcase their talent, but also congratulate them for the guidance and inspiration they provide not just for this performance but throughout the year.
This same musical talent (and more) will be on display during the Instrumental Concert on April 21st and the Chorale Concert on April 27th. You will, however, have to wait until next year to hear the next Chamber Music Concert, but as I told Ms. Chandler, if it is as successful as this year's, we will need a bigger dining room.

Howard Barton
Back
    • 7th Annual Chamber Concert - page 1

    • 7th Annual Chamber Concert - page 2