Why Mayfield musicians play their hearts out
As they rehearsed recently for the annual Music in May concert, our Instrumental Conservatory students took a moment to reflect on why they spend hours practicing. They talked about how their families instilled in them a love for music; they said friendships forged in the music room have enriched their high school years.
Freshman Kalli Quigg '19 simply said, “Music means the world to me.”
“I play the piccolo, the saxophone, the clarinet, the ukulele, the piano and flute,” Quigg said. “But the flute is my favorite because when my grandma passed away I wanted to continue her legacy of being a flutist.”
Senior Ingrid Yue '16 said she invests hours playing the violin “because it gives me so many opportunities to collaborate with others and make new friends.”
Elizabeth Dimen '16 talked about how music has always been a part of her family life.
“My grandfather was a composer and my grandma gave me piano lessons when I was little,” Dimen, a senior said. “So I always grew up in that musical environment and it has shaped me my entire life.”
Freshman Zoe Cerrillo '19 remembers her father playing the guitar when she was young, inspiring her to compose her own music.
Music teacher and Director of the Conservatory for the Arts Christin Hablewitz described the annual Music in May event as a “cumulative concert,” an hour-long show featuring the wide range of music Conservatory students have studied throughout the year, including classical, jazz and pop pieces.
Audience favorites included Uptown Funk! (Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars), Star Wars Medley (John Williams) and Paradise (Coldplay). A classical piece, Free Spirit Overture (Jerry Williams) launched the concert.
Guest artists included our own Head of School Kate Morin on cello, math teacher and track coach Kenny Fisher on guitar, professional musician Jie Ma on the Chinese pipa and alumna Aimee McNulty '15 on viola. Only last year Aimee was playing her final Mayfield concert as a senior before moving on to the prestigious University of Michigan School of Music, Theater and Dance.
Other Instrumental Conservatory concerts this year have featured chamber music, Christmas tunes and classical music. For their final 2016 show on May 21, our student musicians are going to Disneyland to perform at the California Adventure Hollywood Backlot Stage at 11:00 AM.
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Photo Gallery
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Star Wars Medley
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Paradise
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In That Distant Place
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Senior Farewell Song
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Established in 1931, Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena, CA is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for young women grades 9-12. Noted for its rigorous academic program, which includes 28 Advanced Placement and Honors courses, Mayfield’s curriculum is underscored by a philosophy of educating the “whole child,” which also encourages commitment to and excellence in the arts, athletics, community service and spiritual growth. The nurturing environment at Mayfield Senior School allows each student to flourish in an atmosphere of personal attention.
