There’s something about the mix of individualism and synchronicity that comes with performances, especially that of duets and trios. From the way each clarinet player takes the same sharp inhale before each new line, to how only one will tap their foot to keep the beat. Or the way a percussionist will nod their head along to the internal metronome that helps them keep in line with their fellow players.
These experiences can be seen at any musical performance, but is especially noticeable when in a small concert hall, such as the Zug Memorial Hall, where a mix of Elizabethtown College students played pieces for the Chamber Recital that occurred April 3.
If anyone is familiar with the size of Zug’s recital hall, it is certainly one of the smaller rooms, and it was shown as such when the audience was told by professor of musicology Dr. E. Douglas Bomberger that the hall doors would be opened for the two final acts of the evening, where the equipment (and the amount of players!) was too much for the smaller-sized stage to handle.
As the songs progressed, featuring a variety of songs done by pianist trios, a duo of sopranos and a quartet of clarinets, oboes and flutes, the audience grew antsy and excited for the final two songs, one of which being “Edge of the World” by composer Nathan Daughtry, the mythical piece featuring senior music therapy major Devynn Napp-Barker on vibraphone and junior education major Christine Castellano on marimba.
“It was a very cool experience,” Napp-Barker stated in an interview, despite the few challenges that came to fruition with the sudden change of location. “It definitely helps with adaptability of being on (or off) stage and being ready for anything.”
The duo began to work on learning and practicing the piece in February of 2023, with some scheduling issues between them, causing difficulties with finding practice times, “but we were able to work with the times we were both available,” Napp-Barker said.
Napp-Barker told us in his interview that the two were not told about their change of setting until the last minute, “roughly five minutes before the show began.” With a sudden change of atmosphere, they had to overcome a variety of difficulties that were not initially present during rehearsals. “The acoustics were much different than being on stage, which made it difficult for us to hear one another. There was also a small group of people nearby having a conversation, which also didn’t really help,” Napp-Baker stated. However, despite these troubles and inconveniences, the two played beautifully and were welcomed with thunderous applause; perhaps it was so they could hear, or even just to show appreciation for the dedication the two have for performing.
The final act of the evening featured a quartet of trombone and trumpet players that played the joyful and near fan-fare song of “Centrifuge” and “Ev’rytime I Feel the Spirit,” a fantastical choice to close the night. After a variety of songs featuring different musical themes and genres, the closing songs had a sort of bounce to them that left the audience with a feeling of hope and excitement, and perhaps even renewal for the coming spring and summer. Once more, the audience gave the players a deafening applause, in hopes the distant players could hear their enjoyment.
It had been a long while since I was in the audience of a musical recital, and being able to relax and enjoy myself as the hard work and passion that each player gave into their dedicated pieces was amazing to watch, and I encourage anyone who has the time to go to one for themselves and simply absorb the music.
The next Etown music event occurs on April 16 and features both the College and the community’s orchestra. The event begins at 3 p.m. in the Leffler Chapel and is free and open to the public.
