Friday, September 18, 1998
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 7
Student striking international chord
By Mariana Paiva
Kayne staff writer
Kansan staff writer
An international award-winning piano student from the University of Kansas will open the 1988-99 Lied Center Series Sunday when he performs his first solo presentation at the University.
"I'm very excited, very proud that I can play there," said Tao Chong, Hong Kong graduate student. "I feel so honored."
Chang will perform at 3:30 p.m. at the Lied Center. Next, he will perform in New York's Carnegie Hall, as well as in London and Paris.
Chang received the engagements after winning first place in the XII VIanna da Motta International Music Competition in 1997.
"When you win an international competition, you have more chances to perform in other countries," Chang said. "I'll try to do my best to show to people what art means to me."
Winning the prize was a special honor for Chang. He said pianist Viana da Motta had taught Sequela Costa, distinguished professor of piano, with whom Chang is pursuing a doctoral degree.
Richard Angelietti, KU professor of piano, met Chang five years ago when Chang transferred to the University to pursue a master's degree in piano.
"I've seen a lot of talented students performing here in the University, but he is
an extraordinary talent and a marvelous artist," Angeloleta said.
he said that he didn't think that the awards, international performances and fame would change Chang's personality.
"Chang is the type of person who won't let this kind of fame influence him." Angelletti said. "He is not playing to get famous. He is going to grow, if possible, as an artist."
Michalis Koutsousides, Nicosia, Cyprus, sophomore and composition major, said he was proud that international students studying at the University were succeeding abroad.
"Chang is very well-respected in the piano student society," he said. "It encourages us to keep studying here because it proves that we have good teachers."
for his performance Sunday, Chang will play music from Nickolai Medner, Franz Schubert and Maurice Ravel.
When he finishes his doctoral program, Chang wants to stay in the United States to perform and teach.
"I really like this country and its people," said Chang. "It keeps me more in contact with nature, what gives me more inspiration to work."
Tickets for the performance are available at KU box offices and cost $15 and $10 for the public; $7.50 and $5 for KU, Haskell and K-12 students; and $14 and $9 for senior citizens.
Tao Chang, an international award-winning pianist originally from Hong Kong, pauses during practice at the Lied Center. Chang will open the Lied Center Series at 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Photo by Dan Elavsky/Kansas
Band Day lets KU toot its own horn
By Pallavi Agarwal Kansan staff writer
For the first time, a 51-year-old University of Kansas tradition will be under the spotlight tomorrow.
About 6,100 high school students from 81 schools in Kansas and Missouri will accompany the KU Marching Band under Memorial Stadium's electric lights at the 51st annual Band Day.
The bands will march through downtown Lawrence tomorrow afternoon and will perform at halftime of the Kansas-Illinois State University football game later that evening.
For the last 50 years, the performance has been held during an afternoon football game.
The downtown parade will start from 7th and Massachusetts streets and will end in South Park, 10th and Massachusetts streets. Bands
will start playing at 1:30 p.m. and will play for about one-and-a-half hours.
During that time, Lawrence police will restrict traffic from 6th and Massachusetts streets to South Park and also restrict cross traffic from New Hampshire and Vermont streets that lead to that section of Massachusetts Street, said Sgt. George Wheeler, public information officer with the Lawrence Police Department.
The University's annual Band Day is one of the oldest and the largest events of its kind in the United States.
It was begun as a way to get high school students to visit the University, participate in the excitement of a major college football game and perform in front of a relatively large crowd, said Tom Stidham, associate director of KU Bands.
recruitment tool for the University," he said. "And, to a large extent, still is."
During halftime, the bands will perform "I'm a Jayhawk," "Military Escort," "Patriotic Finale," more commonly known as the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and some popular songs such as "Circle of Life" from the movie "The Lion King" and "YMCA," the 70s hit by the Village People.
"When it was first started, it was a
The pieces chosen are ones that would be recognizable to the crowd and do not require too much technical finesse on the part of the band players, Stidham said.
"The bands get to rehearse for only 30 minutes after their downtown parade. We have to choose songs that are entertaining and not too technically difficult," he said.
Coordinating such a mammoth band gathering is not an easy affair, Stidham said.
To help synchronize all of the players, several conductors, band directors and drum majors will have to work in unison.
"We have a primary conductor on the east and west sideline and three graduate students placed on each side of the stands along with band directors and drum majors on the field." he said.
Emily Dose, Fairway junior, is a member of the Marching Jayhawks, the University's marching band.
"It a lot of fun for the high school kids. My high school band did not come. The trip to KU is exciting and playing with KU Bands is fun." she said.
Wheeler said that KU students and Lawrence residents who wanted to watch the downtown parade should start from home well in advance
"There is a large crowd on Band Day. Parking is definitely at a premium that day," he said.
LAWRENCE AUTOMOTIVE DIAGNOSTICS 842-8665 2858 Four Wheel Dr.
September 19, 1998
at 8:00 p.m.
Sponsored by
Midwest Express Airlines
Official Airline of The Lyric Opera
September 21, 1998 at 7:30 p.m.
September 23, 1998
at 7:30 p.m.
In recognition of
Missouri Color Pre-Press, Inc
September'25, 1998
at 8:00 p.m.
In recognition of
Black & Veatch
September 27, 1998
at 2:00 p.m.
In recognition of
Sprint Foundation
Tickets $10-$50
CALL 816-471-7344
(Student Rush $4.00, one hour prior to curtain, with ID)
visit us at: kc-opera.org
Get 100 FREE minutes of AT&T Long Distance.
Call anywhere in the U.S.for just 10¢ a minute. Choose an AT&T One Rate $ plan. It's time well spent.
Live off campus? For great rates on your direct dialed, state-to-state calls from home, sign up for the AT&T One Rate $ ^{®} $ plan that's right for you. With the AT&T One Rate $ ^{®} $ Plus Plan, calls across the U.S. are just 10 $ \frac{1}{4} $ a minute, 24 hours a day. And the plan's just $ 4.95 $ a month. Or choose the AT&T One Rate $ ^{®} $ Off Peak Plan, and your calls are 10 $ \frac{1}{4} $ a minute from 7pm-7am Mon.-Fri. and all weekend long. 25 $ \frac{1}{4} $ a minute all other times. And there's no monthly feel!*
Sign up and get 100 FREE minutes. Call 1800654-0471, mention offer code 59915 or visit wwwatt.com/college/np.html
- terms and conditions apply. Free minutes of domestic direct-dial long distance calls will be credited against qualifying usage on your first full monthly bill. Unused minutes cannot be carried over. Offer expires 10/15/98. Offer based on choice of AT&T One Rate Plus or AT&T One Rate Off Peak Plan. These plans are subject to billing availability. In-state rates vary $3 monthly minimum usage applies to One Rate Off Peak Plan. © 1998 AT&T