At The Hochstein School, students not only have a chance to learn music and techniques, but also have the experience of performing a concert before a live audience. More than a dozen times a year, students in our individual lessons program perform at the Hochstein All-School Recitals.
Even during the pandemic, we kept up the tradition for our students with Zoom recitals over the past year, but now we have been able to hold recitals again in person.
Piano instructor Yi-Wen Chang shared with us a video of some of her students at the December 18 recital.
She says, “It is very exciting to see students going back on stage to give live performances. This All-School Recital in December was very special for my younger students because not only was it their first in-person performances after one and a half years of virtual recitals, but also the debut performances for many of them.”
“In addition to solo performances, a couple of our sibling groups worked together for 4-hand and 6-hand pieces. It was a challenging task for them at first because playing together is like a three-legged race. They needed to keep listening to each other and make sure that everyone was at the same pace.”
She adds, “Many thanks to the parents for helping our students at home practice. They really did a wonderful job, and I’m so proud of them. Bravo!”
Ensembles at Hochstein also have numerous opportunities each year to perform concerts together. Cello instructor John Delmonico shared videos of the Adult Cello Ensemble performing a holiday concert. The cello ensemble is one of several instrument ensembles at Hochstein. Here they are performing “Carol of the Bells.”
John says, “The adult cello ensemble is composed of cello players who have been playing from 3-8 years. They all take lessons privately at Hochstein and have been playing in the ensemble from 2-5 years. Two of them are new members.”
Kudos to all of our students who make the leap and perform on stage. It takes courage to get up and perform for other people, but it’s all part of the learning experience here at Hochstein.