On Wednesday, April 19th from 1-2 p.m., SSU had its Instrumental Repertory recital in Schroeder Hall where music majors come together to listen and perform musical pieces. Instrumental Repertory happens every week but the recital only happens two to three times a semester. Students were asked to put their names on the sign-in sheet if in the class to get participation points. There was also a QR code at the desk upon entering the building that led attendees to the site that showed the program for the afternoon’s pieces.
About 15 minutes prior to the performance’s beginning, several students were already in Schroeder. There was a lot of chatter but when it hit one, there was complete silence. A few more students showed up late but remained silent when coming in. The lights went dim and the stage lights came on.
Charlie Gomez and Colin Bartlett opened the recital by playing a short piece on the marimba. Charlie Gomez, a junior and music education major, plays percussion instruments such as marimbas, xylophones, timpani, etc. He has performed in this type of recital before along with other larger recitals that involve everyone. Gomez explained what Instrumental Rep is. “It’s usually a class where we students have the opportunity to perform for our peers and receive feedback. Most of the time, Marilyn Thompson, our professor for the class brings in professional musicians from our own adjunct faculty to members of the San Francisco Symphony to give us feedback on our performance.” Gomez has a strong passion for music and wanted to share a little bit about that. “To me, music has always been there.” Gomez grew up around a family of musicians and music lovers. “It’s part of how we communicate with each other and sits at the center of our best memories,” Gomez said. “Music has done a lot of good for me, and now I want to pay it forward and share music with kids who may need it.”
The marimba was pulled off stage after the first performance. After each piece, the lights would go dim and the stage lights would come on to introduce the next performer.
The following performance began with Marilyn Thompson the piano teacher and instrumental accompanist who also runs the class, playing on the piano. Alexander Brown performed with Thompson but on trumpet. This song was a longer piece and was accompanied by a loud round of applause from the audience.
Thompson came out again to play on the piano for the next piece with Hunter Richison on the trombone. Richison gave a summary about the piece he played called “Ages 6 and 15” by Susan Mutter which describes how at six the child is basically carefree and at fifteen more rebellious and adventurous, through musical notes. Richison was very passionate about this piece as he moved his body with the rhythm.
There were eight more performances in the afternoon, each player passionate about their music and instrument. Aja Gianola who sang mezzo-soprano and Hikaru Hallberg who played the piano got a huge round of applause on their pieces of “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man of Mine” and “Ride on, King Jesus.” Hikaru Hallberg ended the recital with a solo on the piano.
Cooper Ysais, who’s in his second year at Sonoma State as a transfer student and music education major, attends this class most weeks. Ysais has performed on saxophone and bassoon throughout his four semesters at Sonoma State. When asked how he got into music, Ysais replied “Like most people in this department, I watched Little Einstein when I was younger and my dad always had music on.” Ysais started playing piano at the age of seven when he was unable to find many team sports that he enjoyed. “I played piano for two years and learned to read sheet music. In the summer of third grade, I went with my dad to the local music store called ‘Hensons’ and, long story short, started Saxophone.” Ysais expressed his deep passion for music. “Music is the only thing I’ve stuck with for this long. It allows for creative freedom and expression that nothing else has given me.”