Hillsdale Academy elementary school students and members of the community packed into McNamara Recital Hall on Monday for a Halloween-themed performance by the Joy String Quartet, featuring violinists Michael Eller and Peter Kalthoff, violist Ethan Tong, and cellist Paul Trainor.

The chatter of young voices died out as Professor of Music Melissa Knecht, dressed in an elaborate witch costume, stepped forward to introduce the ensemble. 

The Joy Ensemble plays rare string instruments from as early as the 1600s, Knecht explained. The instruments include a Nicolo Amati violin, Francesco Ruger violin, Giulio Gigli viola, and an Alexander d’Espine cello, all of which were donated to Hillsdale’s music department by David and Bonnie Joy Hough. Each academic year, college students audition to be a part of the program and form an ensemble.

Knecht left the stage, and three members of the quartet entered, dressed in ghoulish hooded robes. As the musicians took their seats, a sudden thumping sound startled the audience. Ethan Tong, the fourth quartet member, emerged from a coffin behind the musicians and took his seat to the laughter and applause of his audience. 

The concert showcased a repertoire of pieces traditionally associated with the spirit of Halloween.

Senior Paul Trainor commented afterward on the first piece, “Danse Macabre,” by Camille Saint-Saens.

“‘Danse Macabre’ relates to the dance of the spirits of the dead,” Trainor said.“It’s originally written for an orchestra, so there’s lots of clangy percussion resembling the clattering of bones that had to be reduced to what we have now,” Trainor said.

Tong introduced the second piece, “Tarantella.” 

“The ‘Tarantella’ actually originated as a dance,” he explained. “Traditionally, it’s because when you’re dancing, you’re sweating and apparently you can sweat out the toxins from a tarantula bite.”

The ensemble immediately followed with “Erlkӧing” by Franz Schubert. Tong explained the piece was written to the words of a poem by Johann Wolfgang Goethe, which tells the story of a boy and his father who are chased through the woods by an evil elf king. Each instrument took on a character in the chase.

The concert concluded with a performance of the familiar “In the Hall of the Mountain King,” by Edvard Grieg, arranged by Steve Winst.

As the musicians took a bow, the audience met them with a standing ovation.

College and elementary students alike enjoyed the work of the Joy Ensemble.

Hillsdale senior Theresa DiFranco commented on the impressive visible communication between the ensemble members during the performance. 

“I love the way they work together,” DiFranco said. “You watch them, and they’re making eye contact and communicating. It’s very coordinated, and it’s so nice to see them all working together. They’re like one mind when they play.”

Elementary school student Miranda Mumme shared her thoughts on the selections after the concert.

“I really liked ‘In the Hall of the Mountain King,’ because it’s one of my favorite pieces,” Mumme said. “I thought the poetry piece was pretty cool too because I’m really musical and I also love poetry and I also play the cello, so I really enjoyed this.” 

Ensemble member Michael Eller said he was happy for the opportunity to give a fun, relaxed concert.

“We have these noontime concerts that are kind of like a step away from class or work and people can come enjoy a pretty low-key, relaxed concert,” Eller said. “It’s nice to do something that’s not super high stakes.”

The Joy Quartet will continue its program with a Christmas concert at noon on Dec. 2.