Frank Chiou ‘97 Wows at Concert

On Tuesday, October 31, students, faculty and members of the greater Exeter community crowded into the crimson seats of the Forrestal-Bowld Music Center (The Bowld) to listen to Frank Chiou’s piano concert. Illuminated by a spotlight on his black-lacquered grand piano, Chiou mesmerized the audience with seven pieces at the evening concert.

Chiou, a member of Exeter’s Class of 1997, started playing the piano at five years old, and continued playing the instrument throughout his time at Exeter. After graduating from the Academy, he obtained a degree in piano performance from Oberlin University (B.M.). Chiou also graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in piano performance (M.M., D.M.A.) and a master’s degree in music theory.

Chiou returned to Exeter to attend student music classes, and perform for the public.  In fact, he himself reached out to the school to see about a performance. “Dr. Chiou contacted us and offered to bring this concert to the community, and we were delighted to host him,” Music Instructor Kristofer Johnson said.

Prior to the concert, Chiou visited student classes to advise them on pursuing music in the future and to share memories from his time at Exeter. According to Johnson, Chiou educated students on practice methods and on choosing a college where they could continue to play music. Johnson added that Chiou discussed “how theoretical analysis can inform a nuanced and expressive performance, as well as his memories of the PEA music department during the early 1990s.”

Aspiring pianists were eager to witness Chiou playing the music that he had discussed during their classes. Upper Emma Dixon said, “I went to the concert so that I could take advantage of the chance to hear a professional pianist live.” Prep Nahla Owens attended the concert to study Chiou’s skill at the piano. “I just started learning how to play piano when I got here, so I thought it would be really interesting to see someone who’s been playing for so long and who does this as their career,” Owens said.

Math Instructor Gwynneth Coogan said that she went to the concert because she was “hoping to hear some great music.” She added that The Bowld provided an ideal backdrop for her to appreciate the performance. “Walk into the music building on any night, and it is bursting with energy and life. The Bowld acts as an elliptical lens on that energy, focusing it on one spot,” Coogan said. Coogan added that she has previously attended concerts in the center and has never been disappointed.

In the first half of the performance, Chiou played pieces by composer Franz Liszt. Following a brief intermission, he transitioned to music by Frédéric Chopin. Chiou began the concert by providing background information on Liszt, explaining how Liszt drafted many endings for the composition, but eventually chose to finish the piece with a quiet, poetic tone.

While immersing themselves in the music, students appreciated learning the story of how the piece was composed.  “It was nice to be able to hear the piece and connect it with what he told us about the composer,” said Dixon. Owens agreed that the music’s context helped frame the work. “Even though there weren’t words in the song, you could see kind of the backstory of it as it was being played,” Owens said.  “That’s pretty awesome.”

Owens added that she will remember this concert when considering whether to keep up with piano in the future. “I definitely want to continue lessons and learning piano after high school,” Owens said.

According to Johnson, the concert opened Exonians to the many possible ways to keep music in their lives. “One strong message that did inspire our students is the vast freedom in college and beyond to continue to pursue and perform music, even if it is not through a career.”