Get amped with the Applied Music Program

Thursday Concert Series creates a culmination of sound

CHRISTOPHER

Reporter @chris_t_torres

After a week-long hiatus, the Thursday Concert Series made its return with a spotlight featuring student performers from the Applied Music Program (AMP).

The show featured a mixture of classical music, original pieces, jazz and a hint of Broadway to cultivate a symphony of instrumental excellence. As the audience filled up the Performing Arts Theater, the lights dimmed and guitarist Aro Caitlin was ready to set the bar high with the first performance of the afternoon.

Caitlin’s first song was Valse Choro, Op.64, No.1 composed by Francis Kleynjans. The pleasant sound of the guitar echoed throughout the theater creating a tranquil environment right from the start. His second piece was from Matteo Carcassi titled Etude, Op.60, No. 7. This showcased his technical skill as his fingers traveled from each guitar string at a fast pace.

The next musician was singer Dan Cruz who performed Les

Berceaux by Gabriel Faure. He followed up with the classic single from the film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Pure Imagination by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony George Newley. His voice captured the attention of the audience with some singing along as well.

The next performer was powerhouse vocalist Lexi Cantu. She amazed the crowd with her rendition of Se Tu M’ami by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi. Her voice made it seem as if she was singing in an Italian Opera. After, she sang She’s Like the Swallow by Carl Strommen, which tested her vocal ability because the notes ranged from high to low throughout the whole song.

Guitarist Adrian Camp took the stage after Cantu and did not disappoint with his renditions of Etude No.3, Op.60 by Matteo Carcassi and Estudios Sencillos I. Movido II. Lento III. Rapido by Leo Brouwer. Along with Caitlin, Camp also took on a Carcassi piece and it proved to be no challenge for him.

Amir Zaker, violinist, was up next. He performed Partita in D Minor for Solo Violin, BMV 1004 by the great, J.S. Bach. As the only violinist of the group, he stood out and was nothing short of amazing. Bach would be proud if he was in the audience.

Trumpeter Bryan Herrera stood out because he was the only one performing a trumpet solo amongst his group. He performed Sonate pour Cornet et Piano I.Allegro con brio II. Andante con espressione by Thorvald Hansen. He was accompanied by Lance Merrill on the piano. The piano/trumpet duet turned out to be something special.

Guitarist Rahim Aghayarizadeh displayed a mastery of acoustics with his rendition of Mazurka arranged by Daniel Fortea.

The fourth vocalist of the night was Jonathan Engstrom, who performed Tu Lo Sai by Giuseppe Torelli and The Call by Ralph Vaughan Williams. He was also accompanied by Merrill on the piano which took his vocal performance to another level with both pieces.

Edwing Franco was next with his instrument being the alto saxophone. He played Killer Joe by legendary jazz artist, Benny Golson and Song for My Father by Horace Silver. Franco dressed the part as if he was a professional jazz artist with his old school top hat and dress shoes. The saxophone was a nice addition considering that him and Herrera were the only ones playing a wind instrument for the recital.

The second-to-last performer was Julianne Sillona-de leon, who put on a masterclass of vocal aptitude. She sang Sebben Crudele by Antonio Caldara and Take Me to the World by Stephen Sondheim. Sillona had her vocal talent on full display as she had the audience mesmerized with her elongated, high-pitch notes.

The performance ended on a high note with vocalist Leonardo Garcia. He performed Che Fiero Costume by Giovanni Legrenzi and Silent Noon by Ralph Vaughan