2004 IPPEC Examiner

Dr. David Viscoli

Pianist David Viscoli has performed as soloist and chamber musician nationally and internationally. Recent performances include guest artist recitals at The University of Washington, The University of Oregon, The University of California at Santa Barbara, and the Idyllwild Arts Academy, as well as concerto engagements with the Mankato Symphony Orchestra, the Southwest Minnesota Orchestra, and the Minnesota Valley Wind Symphony. He has been a participant in various summer music festivals including the Aspen Music Festival and the Music Festival of Florida at Sarasota. Additionally, he has taught master classes and performed on radio broadcasts throughout the United States.

Originally from New Mexico, he attended the Interlochen Arts Academy where he studied with Charles Asche. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Piano at The University of Texas at Austin where he studied with Danielle Martin and Lita Guerra. He then attended the University of South Carlafornia where he received his Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in Piano Performance as a student of John Perry.

David Viscoli has competed in national and international piano competitions. He has won awards in the Los Angeles Liszt Competition, the Carmel Music Society Piano Competition, and the Joanna Hodges International Piano Competition. In addition, he was the winner of the National Federation of Music Clubs Auditions for the state of California and the Golden West District. He has also competed overseas in the GPA Dublin International Piano Competition (Dublin, Ireland) and the Busoni International Piano Competition (Bolzano, Italy). He is currently an Associate Professor of Music at Minnesota State University.
　

Message from Dr. David Viscoli

In 2004 I was invited to be an examiner for the International Piano Performance Examinations Committee's Piano Performance Examinations. As a frequent competition adjudicator in the United States, I was impressed with the organization and I would like to share my thoughts.

Charlene Chia and her staff have an extremely well run organization that serves an important purpose. The IPPEC provides the necessary assessment program for Taiwanese pianists. Through the examinations, piano students are able to compare their progress against a set of international standards. By bringing in examiners from different countries, the program is well rounded in its adjudication. Taiwanese pianists can therefore see how their level of playing is compared to pianists in other countries. This is also extremely beneficial to the teachers of these students.

Some of the Taiwanese students choose to pursue musical degrees at universities and colleges outside of Taiwan. I believe these examinations help the students to know where their current level of playing is and to give them the beneficial feedback to reach the levels necessary for entrance into foreign universities. The IPPEC also has agreements with several foreign universities (including ours) in which students can use their piano examinations in Taiwan as auditions for study abroad. In this way the examinations serve two important purposes. Every country should be so fortunate to have a program that identifies the strengths and weaknesses in the performance and preparation of young pianists.

Overall, I was impressed with the number of students in Taiwan that were participating in these examinations. This shows the seriousness with which the students and teachers in Taiwan take their piano studies and instruction. I am certain that the International Piano Performance Examinations Committee will continue to have success in this very important program.