June 27, 2026
In the midst of summer break, it’s not unusual for many people to be traveling or busy with other events. When I was notified of the shortage of members available to perform at our monthly concert in Chesterbrook, I knew I had to step up and make this performance as successful as any other. Unlike the first concert I hosted, I wasn’t as nervous this time, partially because I had experience but also because I feel more comfortable performing in front of an audience now. The senior homes have become a familiar sight to me, and I found myself looking forward to play for an audience.
I had originally signed up to play a short, three minute contemporary piece, but knowing that we had a total of three members attending, I made it a goal to try and fill up at least a thirty-minute time block with everyone’s pieces. So, I decided to play two more pieces. Though I was not as familiar with the other two since I hadn’t been practicing them a lot, I knew it was more about showing up than hitting all the right notes. It was with that mindset that I stepped in front of the crowd with a microphone to open the concert.
One thing I can always count on at these performances is the audience. Everyone is always supportive and seems to really appreciate our music, be it on a piano or a flute. I like knowing that we are making an impact by bringing happiness to others through sharing music. This time, the audience did not disappoint. We had an even larger crowd than usual, further emphasizing the importance of making this concert count. Even with only three members, I was confident that we could run a great performance.
The pieces I played were from three contrasting time periods; a classical Haydn sonata, a romantic Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody, and one of the Four Spanish Pieces by Manuel De Falla. I enjoyed playing all three, as each one brought a different style and emotion to the piano. Next, Anne-Sophie performed a Melodie and Concerto on the violin, two beautiful pieces with singing melodies and rich harmonies. Finally, Ethan closed out the performance with Beethoven’s Appassionata in F minor, a deep, soulful piece with an intricate structure. Overall, our concert went smoothly and I think the seniors enjoyed the music! At the end of the day, that’s all that mattered to me.
I’m grateful that I had this opportunity to host another concert, even if it was a small one. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this one a success!
