Renowned pianist James Tocco to perform at Luther Nov. 7

Award-winning pianist James Tocco will perform a solo piano recital Friday, Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the Noble Recital Hall of Jenson-Noble Music Hall on the campus of Luther College.

The performance is open to the public with no charge for admission.

Tocco has taught at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music since 1991.  He holds degrees in music education from Claudio Arrau College in New York.

Tocco has toured and traveled the globe with performances in the United States, Canada, throughout Europe and South America, the former Soviet Union, Japan, Australia, South Africa and the Middle East.

Solo appearances include performances with major orchestras in Berlin, Munich, London, Chicago and Los Angeles. Tocco has participated in several festivals including Salzburg, Vienna, Lockenhaus, Holland, Schleswig-Holstein, Wolf Trap, Ravinia, Mostly Mozart, Santa Fe and the Hollywood Bowl.

Tocco was the winner of the ARD International Music Competition in Munich in 1973. The ARD competition is the largest international competition for classical music in Germany. He received a scholarship to Salzburg Mozarteum and a French grant to study with Magda Tagliaferro in Paris.

Luther is home to one of the largest collegiate music program’s in the world with seven choirs, three orchestras, three bands, two jazz bands and nearly 1,000 student musicians.

Luther students perform in large ensembles, faculty-coached chamber groups, private lessons and master classes. More than 350 music majors study music theory, ear training, history, education, composition, church music and performance.