On December 9, the Budapest Music Center hosted our Christmas dinner night, which also marked the end of the academic semester for many. The festive atmosphere was set by a joint performance from members of the Csányi Band and the Chamber Orchestra.

The special guest of the evening was Elemér Fehér, whom we got to know not as a musician but as an inspiring speaker. The discussion, moderated seamlessly by Zsófia Trixler, shed light on Elemér’s journey, starting as one of the first students at the Snétberger Music Talent Center. He shared how he became a dedicated teacher in classical music theory and chamber music. The audience gained insight into his role in developing the Chamber Orchestra and enriching the Csányi Band’s joyful performances. His story of perseverance, talent cultivation, and artistic dedication served as a source of motivation and valuable lessons for many.

The evening’s prestige was elevated by the presence and support of notable guests, including curators Gábor Marosi and Edwárd Papp; Viktória Marosi-Marczell, senior mentor at MCC; Andrea Kaszás, our financial director; Zsuzsanna Vida, our service representative; Dr. Lajos Aáry-Tamás, Commissioner for Educational Rights; András Török, one of the most active educators of the S10 Academy; and, of course, Miklós bácsi.

This Advent evening will be remembered not only for its musical performances and discussions but also for the meaningful experiences shared by our community. Once again, it was proven that the true power of festive moments lies in attentiveness to one another and collaborative thinking.

— Hanna Szép, Mohács Group 1