Moms Weekend recognizes that one special parent in a myriad of ways, grouping campus activities with family fun. Families can enjoy the annual Harp Studio Recital this Saturday with string performances that range from familiar pieces to the virtuosic.

The Harp Studio Recital particularly celebrates growing and sharing, something which mothers do every day, said Ann Yeung, professor in Music. 

Yeung, who has directed and organized the recital since 2000, said students from all academic backgrounds and skill levels will participate in this year’s event.

“I like working with different students, who have ranged from ages 7 to 55,” Yeung said. “It’s always exciting to hear them play, and it’s amazing to see their talents grow over time.”

The recital’s performing students are enrolled in the harp program at the University’s School of Music. Yeung and Claire Happel, doctoral student in harp performance, have worked with students individually over the semester to fine-tune their musical pieces.

Happel, who performed in the recital when she was an undergraduate, said many of the pieces that will be played at the recital are ones that students wanted to play, which is a feature she appreciates as a teacher.

“Students can sometimes be more motivated to perform well that way, and it is interesting for me to see what their interests are,” Happel said. “The remaining point is to come up with something that is revealing of their talents, and it should challenge those talents. Ultimately, this experience should help the students grow.”

Happel added that the diverse student backgrounds add a good balance to the recital as well. The combination of those who have just started playing an instrument with people who have played all their lives adds variety and a unique sense of achievement for the students, she said.

The recital will feature another unique combination, particularly for this year’s performances. Yeung and Happel said many recitals in the past solely featured harp performances, but this Moms Weekend will include accompanied musical works. Piano and flute have been added to the repertoire for 2013, Yeung said.

The performances this year will feature the music of composers such as Johann Pachelbel, Carl Reinecke and Marcel Tournier. If parents and students are unfamiliar with those names, Happel said they can look forward to renditions of famous pieces like “Amazing Grace.”

“It helps to balance the recital so that things are both new and familiar for both the performers and the audience,” Happel said. “Things come together that way so there’s some ease with a good chance of discovery.”

The recital will take place in the Music Building’s newly renovated auditorium at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Entry is free, and Yeung added that this year’s harp recital will be unique for the instrumental collaborations coupled with the auditorium’s new acoustic environment.

Adlai can be reached at [email protected].