Wayne State College hosted a collaborative pianist event featuring Dr. Eun-Hee Park and Dr. Hyeji Seo on Feb. 27 in Ramsey Theatre. Park and Seo are two Korean-born pianists and university professors who have collaborated in multiple academic and recital settings.
“The performance was lovely and it was definitely worth it to go,” Lige Harrison, a student on campus, said. “It was a different style of piano I have never heard in person. There was cultural significance and you could tell their different playing styles.”
This event was listed as part of WSC’s music programming for the spring semester and brought a two-piano performance to campus, a style that is not as well known in comparison to solo recitals. Their ability to follow one another whilst they play is truly a spectacle. Events such as this contribute to WSC’s efforts to expose students and community members to diverse classical styles and to professional-level musicianship.
“I think that would be a very good opportunity for students to get involved with their community and expand their field of experience,” Dorothy Rigg, a WSC student, said. “It’s a great way to bring new flavors to Wayne America.”
Unique events where students and factually can participate like these can also serve as an educational experience, allowing music students to see new playing styles, rehearsal discipline and performance communication in a live academic setting. Most of those people who are partaking in an event like this typically have an obligation or interest; it is still cool for anyone to show up.
“I think it is really cool,” Lige said. “It grows our understanding of music and it widens variety of exposure to new experiences.”
On the other hand, anyone who just wants to go and watch a special performance can of their own free will. Even with all this unique information about these two talented pianists, there were some aspects of the performance that were left to be desired. The unfortunate part was the fact that there were only twenty to thirty people. The performers had a very nice time, but the Ramsey Theatre can sit a lot more.
“We need to do a better job at advertising these events,” Lige said. “I think a way to get more people to go is if professors gave more extra credit and they hand out fliers.”
There are a lot of different perspectives on how to view low attendance rates for special performances like this. Is it important for students to attend events like this, or should we encourage more participation?
