WOODLAND HILLS : Pierce Music Teacher to Join Philharmonic

If you close your eyes you can practically see the short, smooth sounds that float from Stephen Piazza’s clarinet. The imaginary hues that come to mind are the same that paint a man who aspires to color the rest of the world with his music.

“My love for music comes somewhere from the center of my being,” said Piazza, who has been Pierce College’s music department chairman since 1978. “It was a calling. . . . I knew when I was 11 years old that this is what I was destined to do.”

At 44, Piazza has hit the peak.

The Woodland Hills resident was invited to perform with the Los Angeles Philharmonic this winter and spring, when the group will travel to Mexico City, New York’s Carnegie Hall and Washington’s Kennedy Center.

Piazza first gained recognition by the internationally renowned orchestra almost 15 years ago after auditioning with a group of other hopeful musicians. Although Piazza placed “highest” in Southern California, the orchestra chose someone else for the permanent chair, placing Piazza on a list to fill in vacant spots when a member was ill or on vacation.

Since then he has performed more than 200 times with the orchestra, picking up gigs along the way with the American Ballet Theater and the Los Angeles Opera Company.

This will be the first time he will play with the Los Angeles Philharmonic as a staff musician. “You only know how good you are by how many times you are invited back,” said Piazza, who will continue to conduct the symphony band at Pierce and meet the demands of music department chairman between four-day-a-week rehearsals.

When scheduling conflicts do occur, Piazza says he will arrange to bring his students to rehearsals so they can see first-hand what the professional experience is like.

“They will get a chance to see how a world-class orchestra plays together as a cohesive whole. It’s inspiring. It’s something I want my students to love and appreciate like I have over the years,” he said.

Piazza’s love for music was sparked at age 11 when he decided to become a “rock ‘n’ roll sax player.”

“My mother wanted me to be a lawyer,” said Piazza, who began playing the saxophone in the school band at Van Nuys Junior High School. He also played with the band at Notre Dame High School, while waiting for an audition date at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. He finally got the audition, but received a rejection letter weeks later.

“The letter said, ‘Best of luck in your chosen endeavor.’ What was I supposed to do, become a plumber? I was crushed.”

But he persevered and eventually was awarded a scholarship to USC, where he earned his master’s degree in music.

While he said his paychecks this season from the Los Angeles Philharmonic won’t “pay for a Mercedes,” the honor is so great that he’d do it for free.

“When people go to hear the Philharmonic, they are taken to another dimension,” said Piazza. “I want to be part of what takes them on that journey . . .”