Gallery • 5 Photos

Casey Wanatick

Beth Elliott plays the viola during the Kadima Quartet performance during third period on Oct. 8.

The Kadima String Quartet started the World Music Day celebrations with a performance to students in the ninth and tenth grade in the MPR during third and fourth period.

The Quartet has been performing since 2001, the year in which journalist Daniel Pearl was murdered. During the month of October, Daniel Pearl World Music Day Harmony for Humanity takes place all over the world.

“Music is a unifier throughout the world,” cellist Lynn Angebrandt said. “It is a language common everywhere you go.”

Beth Elliott, who plays the viola, explained to students on Oct. 8 how the Quartet was created, how they stay together and general background on the music and their composers. Elliott talked to the students hoping to make the music easier to listen to and understand. Freshman Raymond Lashley agrees that the interaction helped him understand the music’s meaning much better.

“I noticed that certain songs had a change in emotion,” Lashley said. “It made me feel like I was watching a silent movie.”

The Quartet played more than just classical pieces by Mozart and Samuel Barber. They also played modern pieces such as “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee and “Shape Of You” by Ed Sheeran. That comes from the fact that not all the players only use a single instrument. Eric KM Clark, the first violinist, makes contemporary music and second violinist Bryan Benning sings professionally. The Quartet also made use of percussions by clapping their hands and tapping their instruments, prompting students to also clap along with the more popular songs.

“I appreciate opening a door for you,” Elliot said. “I appreciate seeing that the music is meaningful for students.”