Eastman School of Music Quartet Recalls Playing for the President
By: Maureen McGuire
Updated: January 23, 2013
Rochester, NY--With more than a half century of experience between the four of them, the quartet says no amount of rehearsal could have prepared them for the feeling of playing for the President.
"It was just an honor to be in the same room as him let alone play for him," said viola player, Kelsey Farr.
"We all knew it was going to be very exciting." added violinist, Markiyan Melnychenko. "But, for some reason, it just didn't seem real until we entered the room where the event was being held."
The Eastman Quartet played Monday afternoon during the Inaugural Luncheon.
Their performance lasted for almost two hours.
It was a slight curve ball for the group.They had rehearsed a one hour, 15 minute set.
The four string players improvised and repeated a few songs.
All and all, they say it couldn't have gone any better.
"We were all trying to put our best foot forward and sound really great and it was also a loud room so we were playing pretty loudly so it was tiring but in the best way," said Farr.
Several months back, the group competed against a handful of other Eastman School of Music Quartet's for the opportunity.
They had never worked as a quartet before.
In fact, one member was in another rehearsal when we caught up with them on Wednesday.
But when they teamed up, they were perfectly in tune.
They all agreed it was a split second decision that turned into the moment of a life time.
"It was an absolute honor for the four of us," said violinist, Cheho Lam.
