Pretty much…

It is finally, definitively Spring Weather in NYC, and staffer Rebecca decided to celebrate with some mid-day music–nothing like warm weather and hot jams!

The sun (which for the first time in 2016 actually warmed my soul) was beaming through the windows of the garden room in the Faculty House as I sat down to listen to a Mid-day music recital – an ongoing series that showcases Columbia student and faculty talent every Wednesday at noon.

The hour long performance transcended me to a world where everyone was happy, economic strife was a myth, and midterms were actually a prank and didn’t count at all. Mid-day music is like a 50 minute meditation where you don’t just sit there and question your every life decision, but instead enjoy the incredible musical talent and ability that’s right here at Columbia.

For this week’s classical theme, I got the privilege of listening to the very decorated pianist and Columbia student, Nansong Huang.  As he effortlessly and charismatically performed a sonata, I was brought briefly brought back to my own short-lived piano career as a reluctant ten year old.  Images fluttered in my mind of my very Russian instructor, and suddenly my trance was broken by the melodic sounds of the second performer, Javier Llaca, CC ’19.

Llaca played solo classical guitar pieces and essentially strummed my stress away.  Afterwards, he teamed up with Huang for a duo.  Together they transformed the atmosphere of the garden room into a full on Carnegie Hall performance (which the Columbia University Orchestra will actually be performing at on April 14th).

I walked out feeling renewed and convinced that I’ll try to make every Mid-day music event, which includes a variety of live music ranging from jazz to classical.  It’s free, relaxing, and rejuvenating. In the middle of midterm stress and anxiety, I was transported to another era and got to listen to the work of Franz Joseph Haydn and Manuel María Ponce.  That fact that anyone can go and experience that every Wednesday is very cool.

Performances kick off right after Spring break with jazz piano!

Schroeder via Shutterstock