Students, faculty, and piano enthusiasts gathered yesterday for an afternoon of music performed by world-class pianist and SF State faculty member William Corbett-Jones.

The two-hour recital took place Sunday afternoon in Knuth Hall of the Creative Arts building. All of the proceeds from the concert go to the William Corbett-Jones Scholarship fund, which has granted a yearly scholarship to an SF State piano student since Corbett-Jones himself started the fund in 1986.

"The fund enables us to give a much-deserved scholarship to a gifted student," said the pianist and professor.

Corbett-Jones played six pieces to a crowded auditorium, each met with a loud round of applause from the audience. A a few shouts of "bravo" were also heard. Most of the pieces were by well-known composers such as Bach and Chopin.

One of the pieces he played was written by Roger Nixon, who is a former SF State music department faculty member.

"It's my way of making a small tribute to a great friend," said Corbett-Jones.

The audience listened intently throughout the performances, with many nodding along to the melodies. There was so much applause at the end of the recital that Corbett-Jones came out for a second bow.

"It was absolutely marvelous," said Michael McGinley, a friend of the pianist. "The memorization of the pieces alone was extraordinary."

Many past and present students of Corbett-Jones were also in the audience. "I've been his student since 1995 and I've been very much looking forward to seeing him play this afternoon," said SF State graduate student Samuel Williams.

Corbett-Jones has performed all over the world and has recorded five albums while remaining a professor at SF State for over 40 years. "It's always been fun working with the students here," he said. "It gives meaning to your life, transmitting what you've learned to the students."

He is looking forward to this year's scholarship presentation as well as to his 80th birthday, both of which will be celebrated in a single event in Knuth Hall on April 26.

"Music keeps me young," Corbett-Jones said.