He is a veteran performer, and warm and lively onstage. He isn't rich or famous and currently he doesn't even have a recording contract. Yet Pianist David Wong keeps playing wherever he can, and his stature in the classical music world keeps growing. Humboldt State University's Music Department has invited him to give a concert this March on their campus at Fulkerson Recital Hall. Many well known pianists have played at this hall, including George Winston and Richard Goode.

Exactly ten years ago, Mr. Wong took first place in a piano competition that launched his music career. He insists he "barely won" and that he "just got lucky." Well if it was luck, Mr. Wong was surely one lucky pianist. After winning the competition he was awarded a music scholarship just before he matriculated into UC Berkeley. Wong has also received recognition from the Music Teacher's Association of California State Panel. Initially, while in college and shortly after he graduated, he worked at Nordstrom as a pianist. A few years later he started playing at colleges and universities, such as Dartmouth and University of Southern California. Word of mouth gave him gigs at other concert halls and venues.

There are two events that make this particular concert different from the concerts Wong has given in the past. First, Mezzo-Soprano Kara Chun will appear as a guest artist and open the concert with Le Violette by Scarlatti. Her appearance will increase concert attendance because she is quite charming and has a great voice. Wong said, "There are very few people that I would travel long distance to hear in a concert and Ms. Chun is one of them. It's going to be very exciting to have her opening this concert and it gives me goose bumps just thinking about it." Second, Wong will also be teaching a master class the day after the concert. A master class is similar to a piano lesson, but is different in that the comments the master teacher makes are not only directed at the student but also to the audience since it is open to the public. The other major difference is that generally universities do not sponsor people to teach a master class unless they are of top caliber, in part because master classes in a university setting focus on issues that go beyond the scope of a traditional piano teacher's studio. Students are generally expected to execute their pieces flawlessly. Some of the repertoire to be played at the master class includes a Beethoven Sonata and the Bartok Piano Sonata. David will be playing Humboldt State University, March 2, at 8:00 pm. Tickets to the concert go on sale February 15, 2003. Call 707-826-5436 or visit http://www.humboldt.edu/~mus/calendar.html for more info.

Article provided by The Advocate
by Cynthia Wu, Guest Writer to the Advocate