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Today, we played at Asbury Methodist Village, where we had the sweetest audience, and the performances were spectacular. Everyone who was there got a chance to perform. First, we have a wonderful duet played by Esther and Faith on the violin. The sound was very beautiful because they did lots of vibrato, and they did a wonderful dynamic contrast. Then, I played the piano. The piece was Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in G major, BWV 860. I played with good rhythm and good character changes. Then, Sihong Ren’s Pipa performance stood out to me. She had a very good posture and good technique. Her piece was very memorable to me because the Pipa is a unique, beautiful Chinese instrument that I don’t get to hear often. After that, Ethan’s piano performance, Beethoven's Sonata No. 8, also stood out to me. That piece was very challenging, and he memorized the piece so well that he must have put in a lot of practice and dedication. All the other performances did a wonderful job. At the end, Sihong said some encouraging words to everyone. After the wonderful performance, we greeted the audiences and shook hands with them. We are thankful to the audience and the senior centers for their support, and to our parents for supporting our music education. (Reported by Jacob Wang).
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Today, we performed at Ingleside at King Farm in front of one of the sweetest and most supportive audiences. Everyone gave an amazing speech and performance. A few performances that especially stood out to me were Momo Sasaki’s, Ethan Zhang’s, and Sihong Ren’s. Momo’s performance was truly spectacular—she took on a very long and challenging piece, and not only did she play it from start to finish, but she kept it incredibly clean and controlled the entire time, which is not easy to do. Ethan’s performance impressed me in a similar way; being able to play such a difficult piece at such a young age is genuinely astonishing, and it’s clear he has put in a lot of practice and dedication. Sihong’s performance was also very memorable because she played the pipa, which is such a unique and beautiful instrument that you don’t get to hear very often. The tone and sound of the instrument really stood out, and she played it with confidence and skill. I always look forward to hearing her perform each week because she consistently brings something special. After the performance, we greeted the audience, shook hands, and had a chance to chat with them. We asked, “Did any piece remind you of a special memory? ”One resident shared that it reminded him of her mother, who used to sing him the song “Always.” He softly sang a few lines for us—“I will be loving you always… not just one hour, not just one day, not just one year, but always.” His beautiful melody was truly touching, and we all enjoyed listening to it. Overall, I think we all had an amazing performance and an incredible audience this week. (Reported by Esther Tian)
The weather is beautiful today. It is neither cold nor hot, and it feels like listening to some music from our organization, Music and Love. It is a place to share music that can have different kinds, from the instrument to the emotions you express. We are enjoying playing music with you and meeting with everyone in Raphael House. We started off with a lively tempo and sounded light, followed by a duo’s performance that felt like two friends skipping together, that was bright and cheerful. After all the bold and happy notes, it changes to a piece that is balanced and elegant, like a dancing swan on a frozen lake. It then switches to a fast and energetic rhythm played by a violin. Our feeling changes by Alex’s song, it makes us savor the moment and memories in the present. Next it came into a rapid turn, changing people’s feelings to excitement and happiness in themselves. After the piece slowed people’s heart down, it sounded simple and lively. There was a violin duet that played very beautifully, followed after by a simple and jumpy music piece. There was a dancer that danced fluently and was so elegant that I thought she was a dancing swan. Next the music went jolly and gave a seasonal tune and ended with exciting and cheerful music. (Reported by Sihong Ren)
Today’s performance landed on a glorious spring day. The seniors in Memory Care appeared to be in a jolly mood, seemingly curious about the concert. A violin piece kicked the concert off. When played by the skilled musician, it evoked a passionate emotion. The music seemed like it came straight out of a concert hall, all the notes perfect, on point. Some parts were woeful, others grand, others like steps gradually ascending or descending. A senior tapped his hands to the distinguishable beats. Next, came a lovely, melodious clarinet piece, causing a light, airy, and up in the sky atmosphere. Some parts have jazzy perfect precision–twists and turns, resembling a variation of folklore music. Then, Paganini’s Concerto No. 1 graced the performance with its powerful arpeggios, striking accents, and brilliant high passages. A slower, nostalgic section followed, and several seniors seemed to drift into memories. One older veteran spoke aloud with appreciation, saying, “Very well done.” A highlight of the concert was the performance of Carmen Fantasy. Despite the extremely high notes, sounds remained clear and rich rather than sharp. The recognizable melodies and dramatic contrasts drew the audience in; several seniors gently swayed their heads from side to side. The slow passages felt timeless, while the rapid arpeggios were executed flawlessly. Even staff members paused in the hallway, stopping their work to stand and listen, completely focused on the music. The program ended with Moonlight Sonata, a piece filled with a forlorn and bittersweet character. The delicate arpeggios carried an intense emotional weight, creating a quiet atmosphere in the room. Overall, the concert created a lively and meaningful atmosphere for everyone present. The performers brought a wide range of sounds and styles—from expressive violin works to warm clarinet melodies—showing both impressive skill and heartfelt musicality. The seniors responded warmly throughout the program, tapping along to rhythms, swaying gently to familiar melodies, and offering encouraging smiles and applause. By the end of the performance, it was clear that the music had brought moments of joy, nostalgia, and connection. (Reported by Angelina Lin)
On a warm, cloudy day, a group of music and love musicians gathered at the Raphael House to give another performance for the seniors. I began the program with Concerto in G minor, playing with careful attention to detail. The piece was warmly received by the audience. Next came a piano duet by Caitlyn and Candice. Their fingers moved gracefully across the keyboard, producing beautiful and expressive music. We were also joined by two new friends this time, Amy and Milan. Milan’s vocal performance was unique and captivating, earning a big round of applause from everyone. Later, Allie and I performed a violin duet. We played Sinfonia No. 2 by Vivaldi as well as the popular song “Wellerman.” “Wellerman” is lively and playful, and since many people already knew it, it was especially well received. Everyone gave a wonderful performance. We were delighted to share music and warmth with the seniors, and we hope to see you again at our next performance! (Reported by Jacqueline Chung)
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