Music to Our Ears: A&M-Corpus Christi will Host First Ever Piano Celebration Week

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Music inspires. Music excites. Music brings cultures and communities together. Music is food for the soul. It is for these reasons that Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi piano faculty, in collaboration with local and state music partners, will host the first ever Piano Celebration Week festival at the Island University from Tuesday, March 20, through Monday, March 26.

“We are thrilled to host pianists of all ages to join us in celebrating piano music and artistry, and we hope this festival and Corpus Christi will be seen as a center of piano music in the near future,” said Dr. Dino Mulić, assistant professor of piano at A&M-Corpus Christi and Artistic and executive director of Piano Celebration Week.

Piano Celebration Week will be comprised of piano concerts and educational activities such as lectures, masterclasses and workshops led by nationally and internationally recognized pianists and other professionals in the field. The celebration will also offer University students and prospective pre-college pianists from the Corpus Christi area and the State of Texas the opportunity to perform on superb concert pianos in a world class concert hall – the Performing Arts Center (PAC).

“I started leading the PAC a few short weeks ago, and I have been impressed by the creativity, energy and passion of the faculty and students at A&M-Corpus Christi,” said Jim Moore, director of the PAC. “I’ve quickly learned those same qualities are alive and well in the Corpus Christi community. Events like Piano Celebration Week serve to remind us all of these qualities.”

The festival is made possible thanks to the generous support of University and community partners including the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), the PAC, the Department of Music, Corpus Christi Music Teachers Association, the Piano Gallery and its owner Matt Perez, YAMAHA Corporation of America, and the Symphony Viva Children’s Chorus led by music director Lee Gwozdz and Nan Borden.

“The College of Liberal Arts is delighted to help host this extraordinary event which benefits those at A&M-Corpus Christi, the local community and students all around the South Texas region,” said Dr. Mark Hartlaub, CLA dean.

With an expected attendance of more than 2,000 people, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

“We highly believe that education is key and we are committed to providing both performing and educational opportunities to A&M-Corpus Christi students as well as deserving pre-college pianists from all over Texas,” said Mulić. “Performing on a big stage and learning from world-renowned artists and educators is a life-changing experience.”

Piano Celebration Week, which is free and open to the public and will take place in the PAC, includes:

• Tuesday, March 20, from 7:30-9 p.m. – Piano-Percussion Faculty Recital – Dr. Sangmi Lim and Dr. Dino Mulić, piano, and Dr. Matthew McClung and Dr. Neil Sisauyhoat, percussion, will play.
• Saturday, March 24, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. –  Piano Marathon Concert – 214 pre-college pianists will engage in a full-day recital celebrating piano music and artistry.
• Sunday, March 25, from noon to 1:30 p.m. – Masterclass with Guest Pianist – Deborah Moriarty, chair of piano department at Michigan State University, will work with three students, Jimmy Chen, Lindsey Ward, and Lorena Ortiz. The students were selected by A&M-Corpus Christi piano faculty.
• Sunday, March 25, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. – YAMAHA Disklavier Presentation – Yamaha Corporation of America will conduct a Disklavier Remote Live Teaching and Masterclass demonstration from Yamaha Artist Services Inc., located on 5th Avenue and East 54th Street in New York. Long distance learning expands the opportunities for music education and performance using the remarkable technologies inherent in the Yamaha Disklavier, the world's most advanced reproducing piano. The possibilities include long distance lessons, masterclasses and concert broadcasts.
• Sunday, March 25, from 3-4 p.m. – Lecture, Guest Pianist – Deborah Moriarty will talk about effective practice and memorization strategies.
• Sunday, March 25, from 4:15-5 p.m. – Workshop – Michael Heil, piano technician, will share tips on how to keep pianos well maintained.
• Monday, March 26, from 7:30-9 p.m. – Monster Concert – Under the coordination of Dr. Sangmi Lim and Dr. Dino Mulić, the Performing Arts Center stage will be overflowing with eight Grand Pianos and 19 great pianists! 16 hands playing at once will accompany the newly formed Symphony Viva Youth Chorus directed by Lee Gwozdz and Nan Borden, in addition to the Sunshine Quartet and the Piano Pals Sextet. It’s sure to be a spectacular ending to the festival.

For more information, email dino.mulic@tamucc.edu; or call 361.825.2679.