Gershwin. Hadyn. Dvorak. Where on Paly’s campus can one find a conversation buzzing with names such as these? Look no further than Paly’s new Young Musician’s Club, where members share a common love for music and a willingness to serve others.

Started in fall 2005 by junior club president Ilene Rafii and vice-president Michael Hwang, the club meets Thursdays at lunch in PS2.

With a main focus on community service, the club is interested in performing seasonal concerts at such locations as Channing House, Lytton Gardens, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, and the Palo Alto Veterans Affairs Hospital.

Club members hope to hold concerts with members playing solos, duets, and ensembles. The club is currently considering musical selections ranging from jazz to Disney songs, which will allow members many opportunities to play music they enjoy.

“We can tailor what we’re going to do to what [the members] want to do,” Rafii said.

With over 20 student sign-ups on Club Day, the club possesses a depth of talent. Members play instruments such as piano, violin, viola, and harp, and many participate in acclaimed extracurricular orchestras such as the El Camino Youth Symphony, Peninsula Youth Orchestra, and San Francisco Youth Orchestra.

Although many members already belong to outside music groups, they are excited by the freedom the club offers.

“Even though I’m in orchestra, I don’t get to choose the specific music I want to play,” junior Ben Richard said. Though the club is still searching for an electric bassist, it is already planning noteworthy events.

“We can reach out to people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to communicate with us,” Rafii said. “Music is the universal language.”