Concert Hour provides free music

The Performing Arts Department hosts a concert hour every Thursday in Room O-2 performance studio. The musical enrichment series is free and open to the public.

“This has been the most diverse and revealing season ever. We had styles that are hard to get here. Everything we had was high quality, and even some very unusual performances,” said Concert Hour director Randy Hoffman.

From 12:30 p.m. to 1:20 p.m. every week, concert goers are treated to a variety of genres from student and professional musicians.

Hoffman said, “I try to reflect the curriculum of the department to show that the world of music is huge and there’s lots of things out there that we don’t get to see or hear. It’s important that we know that it’s not just what we hear on the radio.”

As the semester quickly comes to a close, there are two Concert Hours left. These last performances will showcase the work of Palomar’s student musicians.

On May 3, the Palomar Electronic Music Ensemble will feature 6-8 student compositions directed by computer music faculty Madelyn Byrne.

According to Hoffman, the performances will demonstrate a wide range of electric music techniques. Students have put together their own ensembles to perform pieces that are a mix of pre-recorded and live music. Some students have even incorporated video productions into their work.

The final event of the season is the Music Student Honors Recital on May 10. There will be 6-8 performances from the most talented students of the semester. In this show the faculty picks the best of the best from their study programs, from singers to all the various instruments.

“All the disciplines are likely to be featured,” Hoffman said. “It turns out to be the best performance of the year.”

emaliszewski@the-telescope.com