The annual Cadenza Concert took place on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Lincoln East auditorium. The event featured over 100 East student musicians, as well as some 8th grade orchestra students from Lux Middle School. Special performances were executed by senior soloists, duets, and much more.
This immensely creative performance debuted at East in 1992 and has continued every year since. A Cadenza is a musical venture based on a theme, with this year’s being ‘Echoes of Asia.’ Some previous themes include: Tuesday Night Lights, Dia de los Instrumentos, Set in Stone, War & Peace, and many more. This unique opportunity allows East’s student musicians to improvise and challenge themselves around the year’s theme.
“My favorite part about the annual Cadenza Concert is choosing a theme and sticking to it,” senior Matthew Moisseyev said. “Every time for the Cadenza Concert, we have to choose a theme that hasn’t been used before. However, this can become quite difficult, since the concert is held every year. So selecting a theme and sticking to it can be hard, but I generally enjoy this part of the concert and preparation for it.”
This year’s theme, Echos of Asia, was represented in the concert through a stunning performance of several renowned Asian pieces. These pieces were played with precision and emotional depth which wowed the audience.
“This year’s theme, music and culture from Asia was chosen because of the influence and leadership in this year’s orchestra,” orchestra teacher, Mr. Whitman said. “We always have some excellent students of Asian heritage, but this year, their impact is particularly significant. With students representing ten different countries from the expanse of the Asian continent, we learned a wide array of sounds and stories including personal reflections from Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Tajikistan, and China, just to name some.”
Seniors Sarah Cai and Moisseyev both performed solo pieces. Cai performed Symphonie Espagnole in D minor on the violin and Moisseyev performed Piano Concerto No. 1 in Bb major on the piano. Both senior soloists put lots of time and hard work toward preparing for a dazzling piece.
“The opportunity to perform with the East Orchestra as a senior soloist at this year’s Cadenza concert was an extraordinary experience,” Cai said. “Despite a last minute music switch, the orchestra and I worked super hard to rehearse the first movement of Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole, and our hard work paid off. Performing on the East Auditorium stage alongside friends I’d grown up with and in front of seats full of family members, friends, and even teachers was a magical, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Despite losing a great group of seniors, the success of the Cadenza will surely continue beyond 2025. The East community looks forward to seeing what new and creative presentations the East orchestra has to showcase in upcoming years.
