by Jessica Rodriguez
Staff Writer
Founders Auditorium overflowed with “Music of Life and Love” last Friday as the University of La Verne music department presented its fall semester student recitals.
The recitals are mainly solo performances.
The importance of music in life are shown in recitals like these and various concerts that the Chorale group perform each year for ULV students and faculty.
With every student who took the stage last Friday, the audience was able to see the joy that the students feel while performing, which reflects on the music department.
The students are assigned four songs at the start of the semester and have the chance to perform them at various events throughout the semester.
“It gives you the skills and confidence you need,” said Brianna Roth, sophomore theater major. “People take music for granted and how important it is.”
These recitals give the students many opportunities to get in front of an audience and reveal their talent.
They have the chance to get the professional feeling of performing and the knowledge of performance in general.
Wanda Groppi, junior mathematics major, said that with the recitals, the focus is on the soloist and there is not any support from the choir.
Scott Farthing, music department chairman, was the pianist for the majority of the pieces performed last Friday. He was there to help support and encourage his students.
“The formats are so different, there is a different kind of image and requirements,” Farthing said. “The students are required to have their own outfits. They are also given the chance to explain their piece to the audience.”
The students are each given the music from their voice instructors. The songs are chosen to give them a challenge, but also to fit their voices, Roth said.
Each student gave a short introduction of their piece and what it represented. It gave the audience extra knowledge about the music to be performed and where it came from.
“This is my second year performing, and I have completely fallen in love with performing,” Roth said. “The professors are so talented and know what is suited for your voice, but still give you a chance to learn.”
There was a great deal of talent among the group of students who performed. The singers radiated energy that filled Founders Auditorium with beautiful sounds.
Jessica Rodriguez
