Sara Baunoch's Junior Recital

Sara played her Junior Recital in Fairchild Chapel yesterday, to a warm and appreciative crowd of friends and family. Breaking with tradition, Sara livened things up with some chamber music and a very special surprise at the end.

Sara Baunoch performs on stage in Fairchild Chapel

Sara opened with the serene Brouwer chestnut, Un Die de Noviembre, to excellent effect in Fairchild’s generous ambient space. She followed with Tárrega’s Marieta.

Two selection’s from Mertz’s Bardenklange followed, given clean, measured readings and landing with confidence. (Full program at the end of the post). Jorge Morel’s arrangement of Misionera and Bogdanovic’s beloved Mysterious Habitats were next.

It was at this point in the program that Sara broke it up, inviting Kiki Li up to the stage to join her for a reading of Dowland’s ayre Now, Oh Now, I Needs Must Part, played by Kiki on the recorder, with the lute part ably managed on Sara’s guitar. Kiki, a harpist primarily, had been studying recorder with my colleague, Kathryn Montoya, and played with excellent control and delightful embellishments. This music sounds “made for” a room like Fairchild Chapel, and was a delight to hear.

Sara and Kiki Li play Dowland

Finally, Sara concluded her program with Sor’s variation set on Malbroug. She handled it with aplomb, and the audience erupted.

Sara takes a bow

Then, to our surprise and delight, Sara invited up to the stage Kiki once again, plus Tammilyn Kim. The three stood quietly together and began singing, in perfect three-part harmony, the boygenius arrangement of The Parting Glass, an Irish melody offered as tribute to the great musician and activist Sinead O’Connor. The room was hushed and drawn in by this exquisite musical moment. Sara, easily moving from guitarist to singer and musical director, offered us a recital closing like none other we’ve had here. Bravo and congratulations!!

Tammilyn Kim, Sara Baunoch and Kiki Li sing a capella music of boygenius

Sara with her family and her dog, Lily

Sara with Tammilyn and Kiki

And of course, with her Prof!

Check out Sara’s Freshman Recital and her Sophomore Ad-Hoc Recital.