Press Releases

University of North Dakota’s official press release archive.

Public is welcome at 7th UND Piano Fest, Saturday, Oct. 22

Susan Tang, associate professor of piano at Northeastern Illinois University, is the special guest for this year’s UND Piano Fest.

The University of North Dakota is hosting its seventh Piano Fest on Saturday, Oct. 22, starting at 10 a.m. in the Hughes Fine Arts Center’s Josephine Campbell Recital Hall.

This all-day music showcase is free and open to the public. More information, including a full schedule of events, is available on the UND Events Calendar.

Hosted by Associate Professor Nariaki Sugiura, the event includes a piano master class, lunch with UND Piano Studio alumni, a guest recital and a world premiere of music performed by UND piano students.

“I am very excited to take part in this festival, along with my students, and share performances with the campus and local community,” Sugiura said. “Given the work we’re premiering, it’s not an exaggeration to say that this will be a historic event, which I would like many people to be part of.”

Susan Tang, associate professor of piano at Northeastern Illinois University, is the special guest for this year’s UND Piano Fest. Tang was previously a UND Music faculty member from 2008 to 2011, and she will be presenting a piano master class at 10 a.m. and later a recital titled, “Piano Music of Florence Prince,” at 1 p.m.

Funded by the UND Fine Arts and Humanities Scholarship Initiative, Sugiura commissioned Christopher Gable, teaching associate professor of music history at UND, to write a collection of 24 movements that Gable titled “Polyptych.”

At 2:30 p.m., Gable will deliver a lecture about his work on “Polyptych.” Then, at 4 p.m., the music will be premiered by UND piano students.

“Writing 24 pieces all in different styles is an extremely difficult task, and you can see many prominent composers have done so,” Sugiura said of Gable’s work. “Dr. Gable did a fabulous job writing piano pieces displaying fusions of classical styles and dances with rock, tango, jazz, medieval dances and folk tunes.

“I’m very excited to show the world this wonderful set with my students.”

–30–