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The 125th Salon — "Tong Sheng·Resonance"

On October 17, 2025, Shanghai Starriver Bilingual School presented its 125th Art Salon, “Tong Sheng · Resonance”—a marimba recital. This marked the school’s first-ever marimba solo recital. The performance was independently planned and performed by student Jeason Zhou, with Mr. Liao Weizhi serving as percussion instructor and Ms. Mandy as artistic director. Blending classical and contemporary elements, the concert showcased the young performer’s unique and insightful interpretation of percussion art.

Marimba       

The concert featured nine pieces, spanning classical arrangements and contemporary works. Highlights included the grandeur of Claudio Santangelo’s Marimba Symphony, the fiery rhythms of his Caliente Ballet, and the passionate Variations on Libertango.A special highlight was Jeason’s innovative performance of Arabesque No. 1 on the vibraphone, which added a shimmering, dreamlike color to the original piano piece.Before the concert, Jeason introduced the marimba—a warm, resonant keyboard

percussion instrument known for its wide range and rich tone, now a vital voice in both orchestral and solo music.

Tong Sheng  · Resonance

The concert opened with Claudio Santangelo’s Marimba Symphony, highlighting the marimba’s rich harmonies and dynamic contrasts. Jeason then performed Rain Dance by Alice Gomez and Marilyn Rife, portraying the rhythm of rain with repetitive motifs, dynamic contrasts, and ethnic influences. Next was Santangelo’s Danza Caliente, a fiery Latin-inspired solo with four-mallet techniques. A special highlight was Jeason’s vibraphone performance of Debussy’s Arabesque No. 1, where resonant metallic tones and shimmering sustain created a dreamlike, ethereal dialogue between classical form and modern sonority.

After the fourth piece, Jeason’s percussion instructor, Mr. Liao Weizhi, took the stage to offer heartfelt remarks. He praised Jeason’s passion and perseverance in percussion study, acknowledging the remarkable achievement of performing several technically demanding works at such a young age. Gently patting his student’s shoulder, Mr. Liao encouraged him, saying, “Keep your love for percussion alive, and continue to grow and reach new heights in this art.”      

Character No.2 , Casey Cangelosi

The second half of the concert featured Jeason in a series of captivating performances. He opened with Libertango Variations on Marimba by Eric Sammut, adapted from Astor Piazzolla, showcasing the marimba’s polyphonic potential with vibrant rhythms and dazzling tremolos.

Next, he performed Double Presto from Bach’s Partita No. 1 in B minor, whose warm resonance and precision brought new vitality to the piece. This was followed by Takatsugu Muramatsu’s contemplative Land, creating a spacious, introspective soundscape. Near the program’s conclusion, Jeason performed Casey Cangelosi’s Character No.2, a groundbreaking solo work that combines advanced techniques to weave melody, harmony, and rhythm into a dramatic, multi-layered sound world.

The final encore was Jasmine Flower, specially arranged for vibraphone by Mr. Liao Weizhi. Metallic tones and sustained vibrato created a dreamlike atmosphere, with crystalline arpeggios, delicate rolls, and ethereal sustain transforming the melody. The concert concluded in the lingering reverberation of the final note.    

As the mallets rose and fell upon the marimba, Jeason was not merely performing music—he was striking the echoes of his own growth. Each note carried his devotion to music. Through this recital, Jeason gained profound artistic insight: he not only enhanced his stage presence and musical expressiveness but also mastered the art of conveying personal growth through melody. The audience’s heartfelt resonance confirmed that music is a powerful bridge connecting souls. This precious experience will forever inspire his ongoing journey in the world of music.