Reading notation is one of the most valuable skills a pianist can learn, but it’s not the only way to learn and study music. In this workshop, ASU Director of Jazz Studies, Michael Kocour, will explore other engaging ways to understand and experience music. Professor Kocour will help students discover how activities such as listening, moving, dancing, imitating, and composing all can deepen their understanding of the music they wish to perform at the piano.

When: Saturday, January 29, 2022

9:00 AM - 9:45 AM – Introduction and Recital by Michael Kocour

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM – Hands-on Workshop

Where: Grand Canyon University

Click here to see the gallery.

Parents and teachers are welcome to attend.

Program
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Symphony No. 37 in G Major, K. 444/425a
Felix Mendelssohn: Piano  Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25—Sharon Hui, soloist
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Mozart, Op. 132

Sharon Hui, winner of Arizona Piano Institute’s Inaugural Concerto Competition in 2019, joins the MusicaNova Orchestra for a pandemic-delayed performance of Mendelssohn’s First Piano Concerto. The piece features one of the composer’s earliest efforts to weave all three movements into a cohesive whole. 

MNO’s music brings its renowned creativity to a program that transforms bits of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s music into something new and different. Mozart’s Symphony No. 37 is really the 25th Symphony of Michael Haydn (Joseph’s lesser-known younger brother), with Mozart tacking on a new opening movement for a hastily announced 1783 concert. Max Reger’s variations, built on a theme from Mozart’s Piano Sonata in A Major, is a gorgeous example of Reger dismissing the “musical anarchy” of the early 20th century by expanding the bounds of tonality in chromatic exploration.  

Donations to API here are also gratefully accepted to help resume Concerto Competitions.

Arizona Piano Institute’s First Virtual Solo Piano Competition in March, directed by Dr. Elias-Axel Pettersson, drew 130 participants from across North America and illuminated the outstanding musicianship of today’s young artists. The final concert of our three-part solo concert series features Aspiring Professional Division (ages 18-25) laureates preparing for music careers.

Free and open to the virtual public. Donations gratefully accepted to support the event.

Access the Solo Competition Concert No. 3 video archive here.

Arizona Piano Institute’s First Virtual Solo Piano Competition in March, directed by Dr. Elias-Axel Pettersson, drew 130 participants from across North America and illuminated the outstanding musicianship of today’s young artists. The second of our three-part solo concert series highlights Senior Division (ages 14-17) performances by gifted young winners who have made further artistic commitment.

Free and open to the virtual public. Donations gratefully accepted to support the event.

Access the Solo Competition Concert video archive here.

Arizona Piano Institute’s First Virtual Solo Piano Competition in March, directed by Dr. Elias-Axel Pettersson, drew 130 participants from across North America and illuminated the outstanding musicianship of today’s young artists. The first concert of our three-part solo concert series showcases impressive Junior Division (ages 13 and under) winners, a pool of extraordinary participants who, at a formative age, have already achieved high levels of playing.

Free and open to the virtual public. Donations gratefully accepted to support the event.

Access Solo Concert No. 1 video archive here.

In collaboration with the Gold Canyon Arts Council in Arizona, Sean Chen presents an online concert available for viewing on November 20, 2020 at 7 PM Arizona time and will be available for approximately 6 months. Viewers may access the concert by clicking the button below and following the instructions for the concert.  

Free and open to the public. Donations gratefully accepted to support the artist.

In collaboration with the Gold Canyon Arts Council in Arizona, Sean Chen—a laureate of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition—presents a masterclass online on November 19, 2020 at 7 PM Arizona time. The young virtuoso pianists selected to participate are Justin Kang, Daniel Kang, and Yuna Kang, all members of the same very talented family. Interested viewers may access this masterclass by clicking on the button below and following the instructions for the masterclass.

Free and open to the public. Donations gratefully accepted to support the artist.

Caden Potter, first prize winner of the 2019 Inaugural Concerto Competition (chamber division) will join Phoenix Youth Symphony in performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 2, along with music by Bizet, Sibelius, and Tchaikovsky by all orchestra ensembles.