Peddie’s annual Fall Music Concert was held on Tuesday, November 2, in the William Mount-Burke Theatre. The 2021 Fall Concert was the first in-person Fall Concert since the beginning of the pandemic, and the careful and conscious efforts of the Peddie music department allowed for the concert to be held safely for performers and concertgoers alike. 

Concertgoers reserved tickets online, free of charge, to ensure social distancing in the audience. Masks and proof of vaccination were required to enter the building, and all orchestra members wore masks when performing. Additionally, the Fall Concert was live-streamed on YouTube for viewers that could not personally make it to the concert. 

The concert opened with a performance of “Home” by the Senior Vocal Ensemble. After the lovely performance by the ensemble, Kate Guittari ’22 explained the song choice, saying that the song was special to all seniors because it represented how Peddie truly became a “home” for them. The seniors’ rendition of “Home” was a powerful testament to the resilience of Peddie’s community during a pandemic. The wonderful performance and insightful introduction set the stage for Peddie’s Chorus ensemble to follow.

Maansi Misra ’24 said that “it was great to finally perform in a chorus on stage even with the last-minute changes.” Maansi was referring to the Chorus’ relocation indoors after being unable to perform outdoors due to weather conditions. Despite the small change, the Chorus adjusted well and put on a great performance, leading to the performances of a myriad of instrumental ensembles, ranging from The Pulse to String Orchestra. 

The String Orchestra’s performance of “Symphonie Espagnole” was an audience favorite, garnering cheers and prolonged applause from the audience. The piece was exceptionally intense and bold compared to the other selected pieces, which made for a great conclusion to their performance.

Alexandra Simms ’24, a flutist in Chamber Orchestra and Concert Band, said her “favorite piece was the rhapsody on theme.” The “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini” performed by the Chamber Orchestra was characterized by its relaxed tempo and prominent piano solo. In regards to the piano solo, Alexandra said the pianist “[Jessica Hui] did such a great job.” The rhapsody was a sharp contrast to the String Orchestra’s performance of ‘Symphonie Espagnole,’ displaying the great variety of pieces performed. 

As the concert progressed, audiences heard familiar pop songs ranging from Michael Jackson to Bruno Mars. These upbeat pieces offered an opportunity for the audience to connect more with the performances. The grand finale of the orchestra was performed by the Symphony Orchestra with the piece “American Landscape” by Soon Hee Newbold. The piece was inspired by the thrilling train rides throughout the countryside and helped end the concert on a lively note. Rachel Chung ’24, an oboist, acknowledged that she and many performers never experienced a normal Peddie concert before, but that the Fall Concert “was a good start to the upcoming musical performances later in the year.”