Amid COVID-19 concerns, a senior recital goes on in an empty hall, with a large audience

The stage was set. A xylophone, two groups of percussion instruments, a set of timpani, and a grand piano for the accompanist filled the performance area of the Fresno State Concert Hall. The room with 270 seats was mostly empty and the doors locked. Due to COVID-19, these precautions were necessary to keep the campus community safe.

While the performers in the"Palm Reader" duet usually share a conga, Amanda Steinhauer and Charles Wanderscheid maintained social distance be using separate percussion sets. — While the performers in the”Palm Reader” duet usually share a conga, Amanda Steinhauer and Charles Wanderscheid maintained social distance be using separate percussion sets.

Those allowed inside the hall included the performer, Fresno State senior Amanda Steinhauer; two accompanists, Shing-Ming Liao on the piano and Charles Wanderscheid on percussion; three music faculty members and performing arts technician Jose ElaGarza. In the center of the concert hall seating area sat a table with the technical equipment ElaGarza had pieced together for the rest of the audience watching the live stream on Facebook.

The audience watches the performance on Facebook Live.

Professor of percussion and Department of Music chair, Dr. Matthew Darling, professor of music Dr. Gary Gilroy and percussion lecturer David Gabrielson sat as far apart from each other as they could while they graded the performance.

Professor of percussion and Music Department chair, Dr. Matthew Darling listens to Amanda Steinhauer's senior recital. — Professor of percussion and Department of Music chair, Dr. Matthew Darling listens to Amanda Steinhauer’s senior recital.

Program:

Golden Age of the Xylophone – Werle
Saeta – Carter
Two Mexican Dances – Stout
Palm Reader – Holmes
Ella Babella McMella Barbarella – Bobo

Steinhauer’s performance was stunning and well received by the Facebook audience of over 100 people.

Performing arts technician Jose ElaGarza runs the virtual performance on Facebook Live. — Performing arts technician Jose ElaGarza runs the virtual performance on Facebook.

Sadly, due to tightening COVID-19 restrictions, Steinhauer’s senior recital will likely be the only one to be streamed from the Fresno State Concert Hall. However, faculty are working to find pragmatic solutions that allow students to complete their performance requirements.

As the recital wrapped up, the audience, both present and online, applauded the stellar performance. Steinhauer took to the stage one last time to thank her online audience, who responded with texted praise and emojis.

Facebook comments during at the end of the performance. "Great Job!" Standing Ooooooo!" "Bravo, Amanda!" — Facebook comments during at the end of the performance.

Facebook comments following the performance. "Absolutley amazing Amanda! Great job and than you so much for sharing your beautiful talent with use! We love you!" Fantastic" "Congrats on a wonderful recital!!!" — Facebook comments during at the end of the performance.

Because the music is copyrighted, we are unable to post Steinhauer’s entire performance online. However, here is a recent video of her performing “The Golden Age of the Xylophone” on Valley Public Radio’s Young Artists Spotlight, February 12, 2020.

Fresno State student Amanda Steinhauer performs “The Golden Age of the Xylophone” on Valley Public Radio’s Young Artists Spotlight, February 12, 2020 in the Barmann-Chaney Performance Studio, in Clovis, CA.