So here’s how it happened:

Longtime members and supporters of FCA know that classical music is an integral part to our mission.  After all, our very first performance (a whopping 63 years ago!) was a performance by pianist Maxim Schapiro at the Empress Theater. In the years that have followed, many wonderful and accomplished musicians have graced Fairbanks stages.

In the mid-1960s, Charles W. Davis, FCA President and UAF Music Department Chair, was contacted by an Anchorage businessman who wanted to establish an outlet in Fairbanks to sell Bösendorfer pianos. This gentleman offered to sell a concert grand piano at a fraction of the retail price in hopes of generating future business in the region.  Davis knew this was too good an offer to pass up, and successfully lobbied the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly to purchase the piano and a case to protect it for $19,000 to be housed in Hering Auditorium. Many guest artists, including Ellis Marsalis, Dave Brubeck, Victor Borge and several Van Cliburn medalists have been surprised to find an instrument of such quality in Fairbanks, Alaska, and have taken great delight in playing it.

Enter Alpin Hong.

Alpin is part “Yo Mama!” and part “Yo-Yo Ma.” He is a young, skate-boarding, martial arts and video game playing classical pianist. He loves doing outreach and working with young people and he speaks our language. Come and see this vivacious, energetic and globally recognized pianist. It will be fun to introduce Fairbanks to Alpin—and also fun to introduce Alpin to our prized Bösendorfer piano.

And for our wonderful classical music fans out there, we know that Alpin Hong will appeal to you as well.

Welcome to Fairbanks, Mr. Hong. Balance achieved.

Collaboration, connection and community:

Alpin Hong will be here for a week, working with students in the schools. They will perform with him when he does a school performance and also participate in his public performance. How great is that?!

For an unbiased opinion, check out the comments on the Amazon store page for Hong's debut album.  And for a sample of what Fairbanks is in for, consider buying the CD.