On Sunday, February 18, the last day of the 40th Fajr Music Festival, Vahdat Hall welcomed the Amin Ghafari Orchestra at 6:30 PM. The concert took place without a printed program and was divided into two parts: the first half featured pop pieces, while the second half was dedicated to classical works. The orchestra included string players, drums, piano, and bass—though the drums and bass were only present in the pop section.

After a few pieces, Amin Ghafari turned to the audience, thanked them for attending, and introduced himself. He mentioned that the program had two distinct parts and noted that the average age of the orchestra members was under 20. He also explained that in each piece, a soloist would come to the front of the stage, be introduced, and perform a solo. These solos included instruments such as piano and violin.

The performances by these talented and enthusiastic young musicians were both captivating and delightful. Seeing their joy and excitement as they received applause created touching and memorable moments. The first half, featuring pop music, offered a variety of pieces—from the Game of Thrones theme to the well-known piano piece Ballade pour Adeline, all arranged for orchestra.

In the second half, the orchestra was reduced in size and performed classical repertoire. Naturally, due to the greater complexity of these works, the orchestra and performers faced more challenges, but overall, they delivered a respectable performance. Considering the age and performance experience of the orchestra members, this segment was also a success—especially the moment when the young drummer delivered a solo, bringing a surge of excitement to the hall.

Overall, witnessing a performance by young musicians at this year’s festival was a valuable and promising event. Not only did it showcase emerging talent, but it also provided these young artists with the opportunity to gain experience performing on a serious and professional stage.