From Aug. 21 to Aug. 22, several Loyola students and professional musicians gathered together after school hours in Berendo and Clougherty Chapel to create great music in Loyola’s First Chamber Music Festival.
Led by Karoline Menezes (viola), the chief creator of this event, spotlight musicians Inna Faliks (piano), Marcelo Soares (violin) and Marek Szpakiewicz (cello) performed in a concert setting, with Faliks leading masterclasses. Faliks, a Ukrainian-born concert pianist, recording artist and the Head of the Piano Department at UCLA, taught students in Berendo during chamber masterclasses, a musical class with an audience, which combined faculty membership, student growth and artistic inspiration.
Faliks commented on the professionality of the students as well as her experience with this group, saying “it was my first time teaching an experienced group of all-boy, high-school pianists, and I loved how focused, how not shy to ask questions and how supportive of one another they were; just this wonderful group atmosphere.”
Additionally, Menezes, chief creator of the event, professional strings player and musical educator at Loyola, gave her insight into the rationale of creating the Chamber Music Fest. Menezes explained that “the Chamber Music Fest was designed to be a space/gathering that gives students the chance to take ownership of their music, strengthen their listening and collaboration skills and perform in an environment where every voice matters.”
Through this first initiative, a precedent for musical achievement and appreciation is being set at Loyola by furthering the skills of students, having music be a cherished part of the youth and mirroring professional standards.
Ira San Pedro ‘26, an aspiring musician, attended the masterclass as both a listener and a student and commented on how this will shape Loyola in the future. According to San Pedro, “When it is well publicized, it will definitely make more people aware of the music programs we have, and it might allow people to join more bands and just have a greater appreciation for music, because right now I think music does not have that strong of a reputation here yet.”
Menezes strengthened San Pedro’s claim by emphasizing the overall impact this Chamber Music Fest will have on Loyola’s students and reputation in the field of music. She claims that “it sets the precedent of Loyola as a leading school for music education and excellence; it shows our commitment to nurturing the growth of all our music students; and it positions Loyola as a place where students receive a comprehensive and innovative music education while also building a strong sense of community.”
Although this point does stand true, the overarching theme for the festival was the love of music.
In a poignant and touching way, Faliks states the importance of music for not only students but the entire global community. “Music is my life, but above anything, music is a language that unites everybody. Music takes us to places where exact sciences cannot. It opens our imagination; it lets us wear our hearts on our sleeves; and it allows us to be vulnerable. It is a language that transcends all others, and I think it is imperative, not just important, but crucial for students to have this opportunity.”