When the first rays of the June sun illuminated the historic walls of the Shuster Palace, we knew that the 2025 Annual Concert would be magnificent. It was here, in one of the city’s most beautiful locations, that the Annual Concert was to take place – the culmination of a whole year’s work by young musicians, their teachers, and parents.
This event, which has been the most important point in the music school’s calendar for years, promised to be particularly special this time. The program included pieces from delicate piano miniatures to captivating violin compositions, performed by students of various ages – from the youngest piano art novices to more experienced young artists.
The Annual Concert is not just a presentation of skills, but above all a celebration of music that connects generations and shows what great power art has in shaping young characters. It is a moment when months of hard work, daily practice, and overcoming one’s own weaknesses transform into pure joy of creation.
Concert Information
After the Spring Concert, which took place on April 14, 2025, it was time for the Annual Concert. This very solemn concert took place on June 15, 2025 at the historic Szustra Palace as the last in the series of concerts in the 2024/2025 school year.
At the beginning, eight young soloists performed, who were taking their first steps in learning to play the piano this school year.
Concert Program
Anastazja Seraya’s Piano Class
- Laura Altenberg – “Siała baba mak” arranged by Maria Grzebalska
- Antonia Marks – “Wlazł kotek na płotek” arranged by Włodzimierz Sołtysik
- Eliza Świątek (with teacher) – “Słoniomysz” (words and music: Maria Grzebalska)
- Laura Szubert – “Make Way for the Kong” by Pam Wedgwood
- Jeremi Filar – “The Entertainer” by Scott Joplin
Hanna Malaszek’s Piano Class
- Julian Farafonow – two songs: “Była sobie żabka mała” and “Kukułeczka”
- Klara Farafonow – fragment of “Rondo Alla Turca” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- Max Szubert – miniature “Strumyk” by Feliks Rybicki
- Staś Kur – fragment Largo from symphony “From the New World” by Antonín Dvořák
- Marcelina Rytel – two miniatures by David Bruce: “Kołysanka” and “Czarodziej”
- Gaja Juchniewicz – miniature “Biegająca sekunda” by Anna Martyniuk-Tofiluk
- Feliks Witecki – two pieces: “Pierwsze kroki” by Feliks Rybicki and “Bajka” by Krystyna Druszkiewiczowa
Julia Lewiuk’s Piano Class
- Theodor Ross – two pieces by Nancy Faber: “Clowns” and “Journey by Camel”
- KanKan – “Energico” by Nancy Faber and “In the Hall of the Mountain King” by Edvard Grieg
Tatiana Fedchun’s Piano Class
- Zoriana Poladko-Alleyne – “In Old Vienna” by William Gillock
Piotr Nermer’s Violin Class
- Czuczu – Mazurka by Charles Dancla
- Katarzyna Jachna – Barcarolle from the opera “The Tales of Hoffmann” by Jacques Offenbach
- Gabriela Górska – “Slavonic Dance” by Antonín Dvořák
- Walentyna Khodas – Concerto in A minor “L’Estro Armonico” by Antonio Vivaldi, movements II and III
Special Performance – Ella Bai
Ella Bai, a former student of Zofia Zwolińska, brought us enormous joy and a true musical feast. She came from New York to Poland after completing her first year of studies at the most famous music school, Juilliard School of Music.
Ella performed Sonata in E minor by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart at the conclusion of the Annual Concert. After her performance, the applause seemed endless.
Subsequently, the School Director, Zofia Zwolińska, presented diplomas with distinction to the soloists, congratulated the students on their successful performances, and thanked the teachers for their work that brings such excellent results.
She extended special thanks to Parents and Grandparents for their help and care in accompanying their children’s work on their instruments.
After the Concert – Social Gathering
After the official part of the concert, guests had the opportunity to meet in the atmospheric halls of Szustra Palace. It was an excellent place for exchanging impressions and congratulating the young artists who had enchanted everyone with their talent and commitment throughout the evening.
Particularly touching were the reactions of the youngest performers, who appeared on such a solemn stage for the first time. You could see pride in their accomplishment and joy from the audience’s applause in their eyes. Parents couldn’t hide their emotion, photographing every moment of this special evening.
Concert Venue – Szustra Palace
Szustra Palace proved to be the ideal location for such a prestigious event. The historic interiors with beautiful frescoes and crystal chandeliers created a unique atmosphere that emphasized the importance of the event. The excellent acoustics of the hall allowed for the full resonance of each piece, both delicate piano miniatures and expressive violin works.
Repertoire and Diversity
It’s worth emphasizing that this year’s Annual Concert was particularly rich in repertoire. Students presented pieces ranging from folk and popular music, through classical miniatures, to fragments of great masterworks by composers such as Mozart, Vivaldi, and Dvořák. Such diversity showed the broad scope of musical education conducted at the school and the ability to adapt repertoire to students’ abilities and ages.
Repertoire Analysis:
- Folk and popular music: “Siała baba mak”, “Wlazł kotek na płotek”
- Contemporary compositions for children: works by Nancy Faber, Maria Grzebalska
- Classical music: Mozart, Vivaldi, Dvořák, Offenbach
- 20th-century music: David Bruce, Anna Martyniuk-Tofiluk
Exceptional Moment – Alumni Return
The unforgettable moment of the evening was Ella Bai’s performance. Her interpretation of Mozart’s Sonata in E minor was not only technically perfect but above all full of artistic maturity and deep understanding of the classical style. The fact that a former student of the school achieved such a high level and was accepted to the prestigious Juilliard School is the best recommendation for the quality of education provided at the institution.
Summary and Reflections
The Annual Concert 2025 concluded a very successful school year in which students not only developed their technical skills but above all learned to express themselves through music. Each performance was proof that music is not just learning, but above all the joy of creating and sharing art with others.
Achievements of the 2024/2025 School Year:
- Technical development of young musicians
- Character building through art
- Building confidence on stage
- Integration of the school community
- Continuation of the tradition of high-quality musical education
Future Plans
At the end of the evening, Director Zofia Zwolińska informed about plans for the upcoming school year, including new educational projects and future concerts. She also announced that the tradition of organizing concerts in such beautiful, historic places will continue, which certainly pleased both students and their families.
The Annual Concert 2025 will remain in the memory of all participants as an exceptional event that showed how music can connect people and create unforgettable moments.