And the middle school musicians played on … in the Fair Haven School District’s annual Chamber Music Recital at Knollwood School recently.

The March 21 concert featured sixth- through eighth-grade students in solo and ensemble pieces.

“The Chamber Music Recital is different from the other concerts because it is an opportunity for our student musicians to shine as individuals,” Knollwood School Band Director Sara Marino said. “Playing chamber music requires a lot of independence, whether the student prepares a solo, joins a brass choir, or belongs to a jazz combo. What’s more, the way we perform this music — in small groups — reflects the way we play in lessons every day. As much as this concert is about individuals, it’s also about relationships; it is a time when students collaborate musically with friends they’ve made through band and orchestra.”

This year’s Chamber Music Recital offered group and individual performances of selections, including: A Whole New World, Clocks, Shoshanna, Loch Lomond, In the Midnight Hour, Venetian Gondola Song, and Sidewinder.

The Jazz Big Band and the Eighth Grade Jazz Combo also performed a set of jazz standards they had played on March 17 at the Monmouth County Teen Arts Festival.

“Sometimes the music teachers select the music, and students discover a new genre or ensemble,” said Marino. “Other times the students express their own interests by choosing the musical selections themselves.”

The student performances were directed by Knollwood School music teachers Mel Chayette (orchestra director), Karen Hauge (vocal director), and Sara E. Marino (band director).

Next up for the musicians is the Spring Concert to be held at Knollwood School on the evenings of Monday, May 22 (bands and orchestras) and Tuesday, May 23 (jazz bands and glee club).

— Edited press release from the Fair Haven School District