ENGLEWOOD, N.J.—On Nov. 16, 100 students from the Elisabeth Morrow School Orchestra performed a prelude concert, opening for iconic violinist Itzhak Perlman at the bergenPAC on Van Brunt Street in Englewood, a major entertainment venue in New Jersey.
It was a dream come true for the youngsters, ages 3 to 14, to share the stage with the superstar reigning virtuoso of the violin.
Perlman is treasured by audiences throughout the world for his remarkable artistry and irrepressible joy for making music.
Perlman was accompanied by pianist Rohan De Silva, a native of Sri Lanka, with whom he has performed around the world, including presentations for United States presidents and the Queen of England.
The concert began with the Elisabeth Morrow orchestra playing “Concerto in D minor” by Vivaldi and “Canon in D” by Pachelbel.
The students were directed by Amelia Gold, Elisabeth Morrow’s arts department chair, with assistance from several of the school’s music instructors. World renowned cellist and EMS cello department director Ani Kalayjian, also played along with the students and had great praise for their performance.
“To prepare for this concert, the students have been practicing really hard since September, and in just that short of amount of time, they have progressed tremendously,” said Kalayjian.
The students were also delighted and impressed with this experience.
Albert Lee, a 10-year-old viola player, said “I loved the opportunity to perform at the bergenPAC even though I am not that advanced.”
Lee has been playing five years.
“I learned so much at the Elizabeth Morrow School Music classes, so I was really prepared for this concert,” he added.
Caroline, 11, who has been playing violin since she was 6 years old, remarked, “I love the fact that this concert brings the community together!”
Most of all, the parents all remarked about how wide the students’ eyes were when they walked off the stage after performing at bergenPAC.
One parent said, “Thank you for making my child’s eyes just a little wider and brighter.”
Several parents told Gold that if you closed your eyes you couldn’t believe it was kids.
“When we got into the audience to watch Pearlman the students remarked how they loved the performance and how they wished we played even more!”
After the concert, Gold reiterated how proud she was of her students’ performance.
“We are so excited that over 100 students from the Elisabeth Morrow School age 3 through 14 have had the incredible opportunity to perform on stage as a prelude concert for the astounding Itzhak Perlman. Music is a core subject at our school and we are so excited for our students to showcase their talents and hear the magic of such a great artist in our hometown. Only at bergenPAC,” she said.
The event was sponsored by the Benzel-Busch Concert Series.
