By Lily Gannon, Staff Writer
Junior Madeline Birk and senior Sydney Stone performed on violin and soprano, respectively, on March 22 in Stretansky Concert Hall.
Birk played “Violin Concerto in G major, Hob. Vlla:4” (I. Allegro Moderato) by Franz Joseph Haydn, “6 Airs varies, Op. 118, No. 6, Le carnaval de Venise” by Charles Dancla and “Sonatina, Op. 100” (II. Larghetto and IV. Finale) by Antonin Dvorak.
Stone sang “A Chloris,” “Lyde” and “Fetes Galantes” by Reynold Hahn, “I strolled Across an Open Field,” “On a Singing Girl” and “Love” by Ned Rorem, “Lied der Suleika” by Robert Schumann, “Gretchen am Spinnrade” by Franz Schubert, “Mio caro bene!” by George Frideric Handel and “Only Love” by Frank Wildhorn.
Both student alternated performing and were accompanied: Stone by Lecturer in Music Jaime Namminga and Birk with Kaitlynn O’Hanlon, Kaitlyn O’Brien and Emily Hendershot.
Birk emphasized the work put in by everyone, not just one or two people.
“I want everyone to know how collaborative a recital is,” Birk said. “It’s more of a project working with different pianists. It’s more interesting in that regard.”
Both Birk and Stone got involved with music from a young age: Birk began playing violin in the fourth grade and Stone said she has been singing for as long as she remember.
Birk also said that preparing for this recital felt like reaching an important milestone. Birk said that it is a checkpoint to see how much she has learned: not only a graduation requirement, but something she has seen people she looks up to do.
Birk prepared for her recital since the beginning of the fall semester and said that the best way to learn is to practice every day.
Stone took similar measures to prepare.
“I’ve been practicing for the recital all year,” Stone said. “I practice at least 7 hours a week.”
Stone also said that many of the songs she performed were a prior part of her college career.
Stone also wants the audience to know how much she enjoys the music that she is presenting.
“If you care about it enough and you love it enough, it doesn’t feel like work,” said Stone. “I’m at the point where I can have fun. That’s where all the work starts to pay off.”
Attendees of the recital also appreciated the work both students put into their performances.
“[Stone] has a beautiful lyric soprano voice,” said junior Victoria Meneses. “[Birk]’s violin playing was superb.”
“Her quick and nimble fingers never cease to amaze me,” Menses continued.
