On March 5, several students showcased their musical talents during the Student Performance and Composition series hosted in ARTS 157 at UC Riverside. Part of the music department’s Florence Bayz Music series, the performance allowed students to work on a piece — either instrumental or vocal — and perform it in front of an audience. Jonathan Keplinger, accompanist for the music department, organized the event. 

“I’ve very much enjoyed coordinating the Student Performance and Composition Series since I took over the role in 2019,” Keplinger said. “The best thing students can do to become better performers is do lots of performing! It’s my privilege to help our young musicians get an extra opportunity to be in front of an audience, sharing their hard work with supportive peers and professors.”

Seven students — as well as Keplinger — performed, and fourth-year music major Brianna Scott performed twice. Scott has been playing the piano since she was 5 years old. During the event, Scott played a classical piece by Claude Debussy and her original composition, “Starry Night.” Though her skill with the piano is clear, she admitted she is relatively new to the composition track. 

“Performing is really nice to just put the music out there and connect with the audience. I think it’s the greatest thing,” Scott said. “The same thing goes with composing. I think today that I got the chance to perform my music. It’s nice to get an audience reception to it. I think it’s just nice to be part of the music.”

Scott hopes to participate in the next Student Performance and Composition event, which will be held during the spring quarter. As a graduating senior, she wants to take advantage of available opportunities. As a student, Scott has learned more about composition and how it differs from performing established pieces.

“Learning music is easy for me,” Scott said. “One thing that I love to brag about is that I love to sight-read and I’m really good at it. But I think composing music sometimes gets difficult because it's the balance of, ‘What’s your inspiration?’ and ‘What can you do to make it different?’ I love Andrew Lloyd Webber but the problem is I want to write music like him, but I don’t want to make it sound just like ‘The Phantom of the Opera.’ Taking those inspirations and making them my own is definitely the hardest part of composing music.”

The Performance and Composition series intends to continue putting together one event per quarter, according to Keplinger.

“We have another edition of the Student Performance and Composition Series coming up on May 28 at noon,” Keplinger said. “We usually have one per quarter, traditionally in the ninth week of the term, and always at noon. When the 2025-26 school year kicks off, expect there to be another edition near the end of fall quarter, and so on!”

For more information about the Student Performance and Composition Series, as well as other events from the music department, visit music.ucr.edu/florence-bayz-music-series.

FEATURED PHOTO. Music major Brianna Scott performs a self-composed song.