GU Chamber Music Ensembles Program Students Perform Digital Concert, Continents Apart

On the evening of November 18, 2020, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the GU Music Program presented a pre-recorded digital concert featuring the students of the GU Chamber Music Ensembles Program performing from their respective homes — often in different time zones and across continents. Coaches Prof. Netanel Draiblate (Director) and Prof. Grace E. Kim provided mentorship and instruction throughout the Fall 2020 semester as students rehearsed and recorded online, culminating in the Chamber @ Home event broadcast.

Between performances, students articulated their experiences building musical relationships from afar — whether in Hong Kong, Beijing, or scattered across the U.S. — and overcoming significant technical challenges posed by the distance, including sound delays on Zoom.

Prof. Draiblate said, “Their achievement of overcoming both technical difficulties, musical challenges, and the fact most of them were in different countries during the time of their recordings made this concert a truly special experience.” He noted also, “As we hope for a swift end to the pandemic, one thing remains certain: The Music Will Go On!”

The program included the following:

Allegro from Ludwig Van Beethoven’s Sonata for Violin and Piano No.5 in F Major “Spring,” performed by violinist Jamie Wang (C’22), and pianist Cynthia Mingyan Yu (C’24)

Allegretto poco mosso from César Franck’s Sonata in A Major, performed by flutist Julia Staley (C’24) and pianist Lynn Xu (SFS’22)

Anime from Jean Cras’s Trio for Violin, Viola, and Cello, performed by violinist Beau Reitz (C’22), violist Emma Oechsner (C’22), and cellist Lucie Xu (C’21)

Allegro from César Franck’s Sonata in A Major, performed by violinist Emilio José Luna Chacón (C’20) and pianist Yixuan Sherry Wu (C’21).

The concert remains viewable on the GU Chamber Music Ensemble’s YouTube channel.