5/11/2025 Senior Center Performance -- Carlsbad

Authored by Chloe Li

Whenever we experience something new, there is a feeling of excitement, and this time was no different. It was our first performance at a senior home in Carlsbad, and although we were all a little nervous, the warmth and kindness of the seniors quickly melted the feeling away. With Mother’s Day adding another layer of heartfelt meaning, this event was truly special.

Our program began with Elena playing a lyrical rendition of Chopin’s Fantasie Impromptu, one of his most well known pieces. Her control of the notes was astounding, and each melodic line was played clearly and fluidly, captivating everyone from the moment she began.

Then, Grace introduced her instrument, the guzheng, a traditional stringed Chinese instrument that has thousands of years of history. Grace stunned everyone with her vivid rendition of General’s Mandate, and her precision and powerful melodies captured the passionate scene of soldiers at war perfectly! The seniors were fascinated, and afterwards asked many questions. 

After, Rien played Étude No. 1 in F Minor by Chopin, a lyrical etude that demonstrated both his technical prowess and mastery of polyrhythm. I was so impressed with how he made something technically complex sound delicate and controlled! Then, Rien played Basso Ostinato, a contemporary piece written by Rodion Shchedrin. It was such a contrast to his previous piece! With an unrelenting and repetitive bass, mechanical and thunderous melodies, and sharp syncopations, Rien created an exciting atmosphere that showed contemporary music’s immense versatility. His performance was truly unforgettable!

Next, Cielle sang “Après un rêve,” a song about the bliss of a dream with a loved one and the melancholy of awakening at dawn. Her second song, Stand By Me by Ben E. King, was contrasting, highlighting the endurance of love and support, making it a timeless classic. Her emotional range was awe-inspiring, even causing some of the audience to cry. Unfortunately, during the middle of Cielle’s piece, the music stopped, but she carried on effortlessly, finishing her impressive performance even without background music. Many of the seniors after the performance said that she was a highlight of the show!

Afterwards, I played Chopin’s Mazurka in B minor, Op.33 No.4, which is one of my favorite mazurkas. It captures the liveliness of a traditional Polish dance, and although the notes are repetitive, the differences in the personalities of each section make it very charming. My second piece was the first bagatelle of Nine Bagatelles by William Bolcom, nicknamed “the ghost mazurka.” The piece incorporates a section of my first piece, but uses a completely different playing style– in some areas it is light and airy, while in others it is rapid and loud, overall creating a very humorous piece that I thoroughly enjoyed playing. Finally, I played Étude Op. 25, No. 12 in C minor, nicknamed “Ocean,” a powerful and raging piece that represented Chopin’s patriotism– judging from the applause afterwards, I think the seniors enjoyed it!

As the final notes faded and we took our bows, we looked around and saw so many smiling faces; there was something truly special about sharing music with an audience that listened so openly and responded so warmly. I think we all left that day with full hearts, grateful not only for the chance to perform, but for the laughter and the memories we created together. After all, music is not just about being flashy and perfect, but more so about creating something meaningful!

Performers: Elena Chen, Grace Ma, Rien Chen, Cielle Chan, Chloe Li

Performance host: Chloe Li