Students Delight in Classical Music at Spring Schubertiade

Classical melodies swept through St. Cecilia Hall on a breezy afternoon as the semesterly Schubertiade began at Thomas Aquinas College, California, on Sunday. Students packed into the auditorium, eager to witness classmates showcase their skills.

Traditionally, a Schubertiade is an event held in celebration of the works by composer Franz Schubert. The College’s adaptation, however, is an informal afternoon concert by friends for friends, differing in that it includes a much wider array of classical composers. Lights remain on and the curtains open to create a more relaxed atmosphere. Many students bring their homework, a fun read, or a creative project to work on while listening to their peers’ performances; others opt to just sit and soak in the music.

“Some people think of musicality as something belonging to a special cast of people, to performers, which is to be enjoyed passively by another cast of people: the audience,” explained assistant dean Dr. Joseph Zepeda (’04). “While we do have performers and an audience here, this is an event for the community to make music for itself, so to speak.”

Per tradition, Dr. Zepeda introduced the performers and their particular piece by name and occasionally shared a fun fact about the work or its composer. This semester’s Schubertiade featured music by classical composers such as Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin, Vivaldi, and, of course, Schubert, among several others. Two student composers, Josefina Sedler (CA’26) and Nicholas Roberts (CA’28), also brought original compositions to the stage. Although the piano was many students’ instrument of choice, some opted to play the violin or the guitar; others showed off their vocal talent; and freshman Mark Geier (CA’29) performed on the saxophone.

At the concert’s conclusion, attendees gathered outside the auditorium and carried on the musical conversation at a casual reception.

More Spring Schubertiade photos …

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