Sybarite5 Performs Captivating Set At the HuB

The moment that members of the string quintent, Sybarite5, set their bows to their instruments, it feels as if the molecules in the air themselves begin to tremor with anticipation. The hushed whispers of the audience freeze into immediate silence as the first notes are played, hairs on the backs of necks prickle on end, and the room is suddenly filled with the emotion of being in the presence of something truly great.

It is difficult to believe that a mere five musicians can create such a powerfully arresting symphony, but that is exactly what Sybarite5 does. Several times throughout Thursday’s New Music Idol 2.0 performance, audience members and judges alike commented on the amazing non-verbal communication of the musicians, who seemed to function as the vital components of a single, complex organism when they played together.

In the intimate setting of the HuB, where Thursday’s concert took place, the music easily captivated the room. During the performance, the audience was packed tightly into the small venue, with those who had managed to score a spot at the front sitting at arm’s-length distance from the performers. What an incredible experience, to be privy to such an intimate performance by an ensemble who recent track record includes a sold out performance at Lincoln Hall.

Hailing from New York, Sybarite5 has returned to Sarasota for a week-long residency, which they kicked off at Thursday night’s New Music Idol 2.0 competition at the HuB. Following the success of last year’s event by the same name, New Music Idol 2.0 invited eight New College music composition students to submit an original two minute piece which the ensemble would learn and perform before a live audience.

The competition follows the format of the popular American Idol television show in which a panel of judges is present to critique each composition, and audience members are encouraged to text in their votes to determine the winner. New Music Idol 2.0 was streamed live on the HuB’s website so that those who were not physically present at the event would still be able to participate.

This interactive element of New Music Idol makes for one of its most interesting components. Projected on the wall behind the string quintet was a live feed of all of the comments being texted in real-time. These comments ranged from insights and compliments on the music to requests for beer, and even a handful of what can only be politely described as awkward pick-up lines directed toward host, Christine Alexander.

The judging panel was comprised of Walker Meade, former managing editor for Cosmopolitan Magazine; Francis Schwartz, a composer; Tim Sukits, columnist for the Herald Tribune and blues soloist; and Joseph Patrick Arnegger, an active New York City artist who graduated from Ringling College. The diverse set of backgrounds represented by the panel made for an interesting and well-rounded collection of opinions.

Like the panel, the New College students’ submissions represented a vast range of style. Dylan Lancaster described his composition, “Rhapsodizing Chaos” as an exploration of “the chaotic nature of human mortality” while another student’s piece entitled “Drivel” was a lighthearted and energetic musical jaunt which prompted Sukits to remark, “It reminds me of ‘Looney Toons.’”

The winner of the competition, Susanna Payne-Passmore, stated that  she found the inspiration for her composition, “Starry Night”, while on a family vacation. She was contemplating the concept of familial love when she looked up at the night sky and was overcome by the beauty of the stars. “Some things,“ she explained, “are beautiful in the context of less.”

Sybarite5 will be performing Payne-Passmore’s winning composition during one of their Shuffle Effect performances at Holley Hall in the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center, either at 8:30 pm on Saturday, April 30 or 2:30 pm on Sunday, May 1. In lieu of the traditional set list, the ensemble will be playing whatever pops up on an on-stage iPod shuffle during these two performances.

Tickets for New Music Idol 2.0 were $15 pre-sale, but attendees who paid at the door were given the option to pay whatever they could in the form of donation. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds from these donations and from the merchandise sold were put toward the relief effort in Japan, while the rest went to Sybarite5, who is active in school outreach programs that promote music education.

For more information about the band or to purchase tickets for upcoming performances, visit the Sybarite5 official website.