A lesson from the Concert Master: Darren Hwang

Darren Hwang is a leader. Ask the Lafayette Symphonic Orchestra, the highest level orchestra where Hwang leads as the Concert Master, and they’ll tell you as much. Ask the robotics team, where Hwang leads as the co-captain, and they’ll tell you the same. Hwang recognizes it too. 

“To an extent, yeah I do [see myself as a leader]. I like to think I lead at least some of the orchestra hopefully. Hopefully. Regardless of whether or not they follow me, that’s a different aspect entirely.  But I try to lead. I try to set an example,” Hwang said. 

Hwang has played violin in the Symphonic Orchestra since he was a freshman, which is an uncommon accomplishment. 

“I was really excited because that was the top orchestra and I got to learn from a lot of good mentors,” Hwang said. 

And since then, he’s done a lot with a violin in his hands. 

“I did the musical, Legally Blonde, my freshman year, and that was really cool because it opened me up to the entertainment industry, which is in my opinion a lot more fun than competitive playing. I like playing for entertainment a lot more,” Hwang said.

He kept playing through COVID-19, and found a way to make money the second half of his junior year.

“I started doing gigs with my quartet. We played at several weddings, got paid for that. That was another way into the entertainment industry.”

His senior year has been busy. 

“I continued to do all these entertainment gigs. I played in three musicals this year. I played at Eureka’s, Lafayette’s and Marquette’s over the course of six months. Currently, I’m working on a concerto solo for the spring concert,“ Hwang said.

As a leader himself, Hwang speaks highly of his mentors. His first violin mentor was his elementary school orchestra teacher Mary White. 

“She was the reason I continued to play in elementary school because I found it fun. I actually got to play with her senior year because she’s now the high school director for Eureka,” Hwang said. 

Next, his private violin teacher, Allison Warner.

“She is amazing. She’s the primary reason…why I continued to play at a decently high level that I enjoy playing at. She’s the reason I like playing so much,” Hwang said. 

In middle school, his mentors were Wildwood Middle School’s orchestra teacher Julia Lega and Lafayette’s Orchestra Director Joseph Gutowski. 

“They’re incredible. They helped continue to keep my interest in violin,” Hwang said. 

Hwang came across Gutowski so early because Gutowski traveled to Wildwood to conduct Wildwood’s accelerated orchestra. 

“I think [Gutowski is] a cool dude,” Hwang said. “I think he’s understanding of the situation that you’re in and he tries to make the situation better, whether that’s with your playing or with your personal life. I know that I’m always comfortable with him as my conductor, I trust him a lot. Sometimes when you play for other conductors you don’t really trust them… but I trust Mr. G 100%. I think that’s partially because he’s such a good conductor and partially because I’ve played for him a lot.”

Now, Hwang gives back to Wildwood Middle School by volunteering. He teaches the 6th and 7th grade orchestras during school hours. 

“I remember 6th and 7th grade I had Mr. G and I had my private teacher to help me advance in music but this year, especially with COVID, Mr. G’s not able to go to Wildwood,” Hwang said. “And middle school is the shaping period in which most kids either drop out or continue playing so this was a really crucial year. So  I wanted to make sure there was someone to tell them how important music is and make sure they can play. So I continue to volunteer at Wildwood and that’s really fun. And that’s during school hours so I get to skip a little which is nice.”

He also respects the mentors he had outside of orchestra. He remembers the best piece of advice he received from a senior as an underclassmen.

“Manage your time wisely. That was the biggest one. A lot of upperclassmen were very high achievers, they love to do a variety of things but one of the main things that they told me was to make sure to set time aside to hang out, to have fun. And then another big thing was leadership. Try to adapt, become a better leader. Show that you’re willing to lead and a lot of people will have respect for you. Those two are the biggest pieces of advice I got.”

Now a senior himself, Hwang has his own advice to give. 

“High school’s fun, have fun with it. Go to dances. Don’t hold yourself up, that’s the worst thing you could do. Have fun. High school’s a place to experiment, try new things,” Hwang said.