By: Theodore Do
Learning to play an instrument is a difficult task in itself. Yet, joining to play with other musicians is an entirely different story altogether.
Four MHS students played as a string quartet for an awards night for multiple school districts on Apr. 24. The event was introduced to the students by Music Teacher Emily Moore. Senior William Kerr and Sophomore Cody Lejang played the violin, Freshman Kathryn Kerr played the viola, and Sophomore Andrew Kerr played the cello.
The quartet provided background music for the awards night before the dinner, W. Kerr said. The group voluntarily decided to join together to perform, he added.
“We got together as a group after our music teacher needed some musicians for this performance,” W. Kerr said. “She chose us because she knew we would be passionate about performing and would get the job done.”
While the four banded together for the specific event, the three Kerr siblings had already had experience performing for a group of people, A. Kerr said. For example, the siblings have performed for senior homes before, he continued.
However, the event differed from most of their past performances because there was no formal audience, K. Kerr said.
“There was no real audience because people we just passing by and conversing with each other,” K. Kerr said. “I think as a group, we felt very relaxed because we were just in the background.”
In order to prepare songs to play, the students had to practice intensely to play well as a group, K. Kerr said.
“We practiced pretty last minute because everyone was busy with testing,” K. Kerr said. “[Still,] we were able to pull it off practicing hard for one week every day.”
Their hours of practice paid off, as they were able to play relaxed during the performance, W. Kerr said. Throughout the night, they received compliments from those who were passing by, he said.
“My favorite part was being able to play relaxing popular and classical music to respectful adults,” W. Kerr said. “The compliments from teachers and the superintendent were very uplifting.”
For those who are interested in participating as a quartet in the future, A. Kerr suggests that they reach out to people who play music and share similar passions in performing. The Kerr siblings started playing string instruments because their mom introduced them to classes, but they soon found a passion in playing, A. Kerr said.
The Kerr siblings are currently in the California Youth Symphony. Lejang currently plays in the San Jose Youth Symphony.