Tri-M Members Inducted at MHS Recital

Mamaroneck High School's Tri-M chapter, the international music honors society for secondary school students, inducted its newest fifteen members this Thursday evening at its annual Honors Recital at the high school's McClain Auditorium.  The program consisted of a set of student musical performances, as well as the Tri-M induction ceremony itself.

The recital opened with performances by the conductor-less MHS Chamber Orchestra of several movements from Mozart's 29th and 25th symphonies, which were composed by Mozart at the ages of 18 and 17, respectively.  This was immediately followed by the brief induction ceremony, where the inductees, mostly sophomores and juniors, received their certificates and read the Tri-M motto.

Tri-M, which was founded in 1936 by Illinois music teacher Alexander Harley, seeks to promote musical and academic excellence, as well as community service through mentoring, fundraising and scholarships.  Likewise, Tri-M applicants are required to spend over a year and a half studying in their school's music department, including a semester-long apprenticeship with a current Tri-M member.  They are also expected to maintain a certain grade point average and contribute to their community through service.

Following the ceremony was the main part of the recital, where students were allowed to perform their pieces, featuring music by composers ranging from Bach to Maroon 5.  Dina Madden, the school district's music director, commented on the recital's audition process, stating that students had to audition a completed piece before a full committee in December, noting specifically that "they have to be completely prepared with their piece."  Additionally, the organizers, including Ms. Madden, strive to organize a "varied program," thus the inclusion of various pop pieces alongside classical arrangements.

Highlights of the recital, which consisted of a dozen performances, included Vivaldi's Concerto in C Major, Delibes' Flower Duet from Lakmé and Shostakovich's Cello Sonata, movement 2. 

Vivaldi's Concerto stands as the only flute duet among his canon of over 300 concertos, and was performed wonderfully by Catherine Gerkis and Lauren Pfeffer. Delibes' Flower Duet, which is frequently found in movies, TV shows and commercials, featured excellent vocal harmonization between sisters Jordie and Mackenzie Lesser-Roy.  Isabel Genecin provided a thrilling rendition of Shostakovich's sonata, which was composed in 1934 to evoke the fear experienced by ordinary Russians during the Stalinist period (and was likewise banned for being too bourgeois and decadent.) 

Also of note were the program's two a cappella performances: Otis Redding's "Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay," which was performed by the student vocal group, The Sound; and Maroon 5's "Sunday Morning," which was performed by the group Funkapella.