SJC Long Island students, faculty, staff and alumni gathered Wednesday to listen to St. Joseph’s President Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D., perform “Chopin’s Preludes, Nocturnes and Ballade No. 1 in G Minor” during common hour in the Muriel & Virginia Pless Center for Performing Arts.
“Whenever I (perform Chopin), it brings up a lot of emotions, a lot of memories, because I’ve been playing Chopin since I was a small child,” Dr. Boomgaarden said. “I’ve had some of my most powerful music experiences connected with the works of Chopin. Although I’ve played many, many genres of many composers, I find as I get older, the music of Chopin just appeals to me more.”
Dr. Boomgaarden performed each work by the Polish composer completely from memory. For the entire afternoon’s discussion and performance, watch below.