California State University Stanislaus, (Stan State), very own Music Department held an Student Chamber Music Recital on May 9 in the Bernell and Flora Snider Music Recital Hall.                                       
The concert was held in three portions that indicated a chamber ensemble’s process of preparing their works from the start of the semester to the performance day.
These concerts also show an intimate and collaborative way in working with other musicians and composers.
“I thought it was really chill. I like these concerts. I like small ensembles. They’re fun,” performer and alumni Katharyn Hildebrand said.
“Chill” and “fun” are the exact words to outline the short concert. In a way where witnessing the variety of musicians on stage performing their music in a consistent collaborative frequency.  
The Brass Ensemble performed “The Lost Chord” by Sir Arthur Sullivan arranged by Matt Kingston.  This piece called for an ear to probe through the harmonic quality and of the blend the brass ensemble projected.
Their clearly articulated starts and ends were lead by instructor, Elisha Wilson. The start of the piece was smooth in a way where the brass ensemble adjusted to each others independent sound colors into one.
The brass ensemble dynamically and consistently charged forth with the subtle pianos and fortes the piece demanded. These subtleties led to initiating contrast that led the ear to engage a little further.
Curiously, a violin, two clarinets and a trombone is not often heard of. In fact, you’d probably hear of this Frankenstein ensemble with added instruments such as the horn, flute, cello, viola and trumpet.
An example of a mixed ensemble can be like the group yMusic. A group who has performed and collaborated with artists such as Annie Clark (St. Vincent), Ben Folds and Sufjan Stevens.
This is not to say that the Mixed Ensemble at Stan State lacked the numbers of melodic and inner voices. In actuality, the four musicians executed their music impressively well.
Both pieces were either arranged and composed by composition student Bradley Rodgers. The first piece, “Suite of Six Short Pieces” –IV. Slow Air by Ralph Vaughan Williams was an arrangement by Rodgers.
Rodgers arrangement of Vaughan Williams exposed the warm quality of the clarinets, Rodgers and Gleason, when supporting the ongoing melodic line carried by the tenacity of the violinist, Matson. This led to allowing the trombone, Speckman, on setting a balancing point in his higher range when fitting his note to complete the harmonic puzzle of particular phrases.
“Three Quick Movements for Mixed Ensemble” was the piece by Rodgers. The starting movement was a reminder of an Arabic lullaby, enhancing contrast and dynamics, all the while complimenting each voice in the ensemble. This movement carried as a build up to an abrupt ending with all voices playing in unison.
The two pieces were acknowledged by some of the attendees, but were unable to find the composer after the concert.
“I would have to say the work that Bradley [wrote], the short pieces. That was very good. It’s nice to see that he is actually putting his work out there,”Ruby Mondragon (freshman, Music Education) said. ”I encourage that, because he represents Stan State and to know that he is actually doing a really good job.  You see his art come to life, that’s really nice.” 
The last ensemble, Flute Choir, directed by Dr. Jeannine Dennis had a contrasting repertoire for their audience. The first was “Arrival of the Queen of Sheba,” Sinfonia from Act III of “Solomon” by George Friedrich Handel.
This piece gave a rather delightful roundabout quality with the mix of bass, alto and six other flutes.
Their second piece, “AnGaelic Tiodhlac” (A Gaelic Offering) by Catherine McMichael, was playful in a way where the juxtaposing of the melodic lines from the high and low ends intermixed well by the projection of all the flutists.
Although the concert showcased three ensembles, the overall time was thirty-five minutes. Leaving some students wanting to witness more ensembles in the program or concerts throughout the semester.
“I really enjoyed this concert. Students work on this all semester. You see how much they’ve grown. And its so personal, because its only a little bit of instruments, its chamber instruments,” Mandragon said. “You hear how they’ve improved on their tone and how to work with other people. It’s very intimate. I wish they had more chamber concerts, because its nice to see what people put forth, but they only have one [per] semester.” 
For more information about Stan States music department events visit: https://www.csustan.edu/music/music-events