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Published on 11/16/1998 All articles from this issue

Young Los Altos Hills cellist collects impressive string of music honors

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By Linda Taaffe

Town Crier Staff Writer

Student Profile

Name: Gilbert Hwang

School: A junior honors student at Los Altos High School, where he has been principal cellist since his freshman year.

Achievements: Studying cello since he was 7, the 16-year-old Los Altos Hills resident has already earned an impressive string of musical honors including first place in the prestigious Junior Division of the American String Teachers' Association State Solo Competition in San Diego last month. Only students studying under accomplished musicians in the American String Teachers' Association are permitted to compete in the event.

Hwang has also received various awards from the KAMSA Solo Competition, Pacific Musical Society Scholarship Competition, ASTA Regional Competition, CMEA Bay Section Music Festivals and the Grace Vamos Cello Competition.

He was selected for the CMEA All-State Honor Orchestra in 1997 and 1998, where he has been principal cellist for both years.

Musical Encounters and Young Musician's Foundation selected his trio to perform in "Chamber Music: Its Style and Sounds!" last December for KQED with Michael Tilson Thomas.

Hwang was also a winner of the California Youth Symphony Young Artist Competition.

He is in his eighth year with the California Youth Symphony and was a member of the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra for five years. He is principal cellist of the Korean-American Music Supporters' Association Orchestra and cellist with the Creekside Quartet.

He has been a member of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Advanced Preparatory Chamber Music Program since 1996.

When he's not playing cello, Hwang participates in his school's choir and volunteers at the Stanford Blood Center.

How did you feel finishing first in the state competition?

"I was pretty surprised," Hwang said. "I was skeptical going in. I didn't want to go down there (San Diego), but my parents said, 'Just try it.'"

Hwang said he called the judging committee later that evening rather than wait a few days for a letter with the listed winners. "I was really anxious to know."

Hwang said remaining calm during competitions is "my strong point. Once I step on stage, I'm not nervous at all."

How did you get involved playing cello? Growing up with two sisters who played violin, Hwang didn't like the instruments' "squeaky sound," said his mother, Mela. So she bought him a cello when he turned 7 - and he's been playing ever since.

Hwang said he practices about one to one and a half hours every day while watching a video of his weekly lesson with his teacher Irene Sharp. He said the video helps him see areas where he needs improvement.

Hwang said he played piano for about seven years, but gave it up to excel in cello.

"I couldn't balance both," he said. "I like playing in the symphony and orchestra. There are more opportunities to play classical music with the cello."

Plans: Hwang was undecided last week whether he would accept an invitation from the San Jose Youth Symphony to tour Germany this summer, but he had no doubts that he will continue playing cello through high school.

Hwang said he plays cello simply because "I like it." The musician said he wants to continue playing cello with the symphony but has no plans to major in music during college. Hwang said he plans on studying medicine or engineering.