FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The Indiana University Jacobs School of Music is pleased to announce the appointment of Li-Kuo Chang as professor of music in viola, effective Aug. 1, 2022, pending approval of the Trustees of Indiana University.
Chang is currently adjunct professor of music in viola at the Jacobs School of Music and acting principal viola of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, appointed by music director Riccardo Muti in 2017.
Chang was appointed assistant principal viola of the orchestra by then-music director Georg Solti in 1988.
“We are so pleased to welcome Li-Kuo Chang to our faculty, and I am very proud to know that such an outstanding artist and teacher has chosen to make the Jacobs School his professional home,” said Jeremy Allen, David Henry Jacobs Bicentennial Dean (Interim). “Our world-class Strings Department is further strengthened by the vast experience he brings.”
In addition to giving viola performance lessons, Chang will teach an orchestral repertoire class.
“The Strings Department is excited to welcome Li-Kuo Chang to our faculty,” said Simin Ganatra, department chair. “His background as a leader in one of the world’s most celebrated orchestras, along with his wonderful artistry as a violist and chamber musician, will bring so much to our students. He will be a wonderful addition in every way to our department and community.”
As a soloist, Chang has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on several occasions, most recently with Pinchas Zukerman in Bach’s Sixth “Brandenburg” Concerto.
As a chamber musician, Chang has collaborated with many renowned artists, including Zukerman, Daniel Barenboim and Yo-Yo Ma, among others.
By invitation of Barenboim, Chang was guest principal viola for the Staatsoper Berlin and Staatskapelle Berlin from 2000 to 2007 on several of their European and Asian tours, including Wagner’s complete “Der Ring des Nibelungen” cycle in Japan.
An educator for more than 30 years, Chang has been on the artist faculty at several music institutes, including the Chicago College of Performing Arts, Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University, Peabody Institute and the Affinis Summer Festival in Japan.
Many of his students have won auditions, including principal positions, with some of the world’s most prominent orchestras.