As students anticipate end-of-semester final exams, the Los Medanos College Music Program takes theirs more creatively. For the students of the Advanced Piano and the Piano 2 course, they performed their final in the Spring Piano Recital on May 12 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Among the 11 music students who performed, there was a mix of classical, contemporary and original pieces played in the recital. 

Student Serintee Yap is a self-taught pianist who took Advanced Piano to improve her skills, with her musical growth on display as she performed three individual pieces, including an original melody — “Longing for Aurora.” 

”I think every pianist knows that practice doesn’t make perfect, but practice makes progress,” said Yap.

What made this final more unique were the friends and families of the music students invited to hear them play and learn how much they’ve advanced in their abilities. 

“At first, I was nervous and I thought I was going to hit a few wrong notes, but it turns out I didn’t hit as many as I thought I would,” said student Charles Sharpe, who performed the piano renditions of post-modern pieces by singers Tom O’Dell and Chezile.

Sharpe explained how he practiced on his keyboard everyday for this recital and it paid off when it came time for him to perform.

The recital was organized by long-time Piano and Recording Arts Professor Joan Cifarelli — renowned for her work with multiple musical theater companies and as a Los Medanos College Alumna.

“What constitutes a peak performance — it is not gauged by how many written  notes you play or how many song notes you play — it’s gauged by the energy you play and the heart that was put into the music, and that no matter what happens, you keep going,” said Professor Cifarelli.