The feeling of walking into a lively auditorium while a violin duet is performing a striking sonata is like no other. The audience is immediately mesmerized by what is simply a preview of the events that follow. As the preludes and introductions come to an end, the lights start to dim. There is a moment of silence where everyone holds their breath in anticipation. Moments such as these can only occur after months of hard work and preparation to make the Crystal Concert as spectacular as it is.
This year’s concert features 22 groups of curriculum bands, choirs, and orchestras, including 10 additional ensembles selected through an audition process.
“It’s unlike our other concerts where there is music and maybe some talk from a director, it’s just non-stop music for about 80 minutes or so,” Mr. Kevan Kosobayashi, the head orchestra director, said.
The audience is instructed to hold their applause until the very end to not interfere with the seamlessness of the concert, which is one of the many aspects that make this show stand out.
Due to the vast number of people who come to this event, there are four concerts over the course of two days, so that everyone can enjoy the show. This year’s concert takes place on Dec. 4 and 5 at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Kosobayashi also explains how this concert tends to “sell out” or be completely booked due to its popularity, so it is important to purchase tickets ahead of time.
Students have been preparing for this concert for over a month, and their dedication is sure to make an impact on the audience. Some stand-out performances this year include a saxophone quintet performing “Tico Tico No Fuba” by Abreu, arranged by John May—which is a fast-paced, lively piece— and a cello quartet performing “Tango” by Piazzolla.
Crystal is all about making memories that will last a lifetime. For Arya Shankar, a senior in Wind Ensemble who performed in her fourth Crystal Concert this year, her most memorable moment can be found at the end of this showcase.
“The finale is always a highlight, since it brings the whole night together, and reminds me why I love music and why it means so much to share it with others,” shared Shankar.
The finale this year is from Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, which is based on the famous themes of “Ode to Joy.” It’s important to note that when Beethoven was writing this masterpiece, he was deaf and had to rely on his memory of music alone.
“He dedicated it to all of mankind. Beethoven dedicated this whole symphony to everybody,” Mr. Jonathan Lauff, the head band director, said.
Lauff explains that this symphony was chosen because December is the month of celebration, regardless of what holidays each person follows, so it is a perfectly fitting end.
From sold-out performances to a simply captivating finale, the Crystal Concert lives up to its reputation.
