Internationally acclaimed pianist Charl du Plessis will present a solo concert at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20 in C. Minor Recital Hall on Missouri State University’s Springfield campus. Doors open at 7 p.m.

The concert is part of the William T. White recital series and sponsored by the Department of Music and the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities. It is free and open to the public.

Du Plessis is a Steinway Artist and piano lecturer at the University of Pretoria in South Africa.

“Charl du Plessis is a one-of-a-kind musician and performer,” said Dr. Cameron LaBarr, Clif and Gail Smart professor of music and director of Missouri State’s choral studies. “This performance on Oct. 20 is not to be missed, especially considering the wide variety of musical genres that will be explored.”

Performance mixes classical and jazz

During his solo concert, du Plessis will perform a mixture of classical and jazz-inspired compositions. Featured music includes selections from Bach, Rachmaninoff, Beethoven, George Gershwin, Duke Ellington and Astor Piazzolla. Afterward, du Plessis will invite audience members to suggest any piece of music. He will then improvise a performance of that piece.

“Personally, I’m hoping right after some Rachmaninoff and Chopin, he can throw in the theme song from ‘Murder, She Wrote’!” LaBarr laughed.

Du Plessis visited the Springfield campus in March 2025 when the University of Pretoria Camerata toured here.

“I have known Charl for some years now, but we only recently had the opportunity to work together during our March 2025 tour and recording project,” LaBarr said. “Having him play alongside Parker Payne, MSU artist-in-residence and collaborative pianist with the MSU Chorale and the University of Pretoria Tuks Camerata, was an absolute dream for everyone involved.”

Du Plessis will be featured on the next album to be released by Missouri State’s Chorale. The album is a collaboration with the University of Pretoria Camerata from South Africa.

Weeklong activities include performances and masterclasses

In addition to his solo concert, du Plessis will also join Missouri State’s Men’s Chorus and Women’s Chorus at their concert at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 in the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. It is free and open to the public.

On Oct. 17, du Plessis will engage with the music department’s jazz and piano students in masterclasses. He will also play piano for the Choral Gala at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Old Glass Place.

Get tickets for Choral Gala

About Charl du Plessis

Charl du Plessis rose to fame when he was the youngest pianist in Africa to be named a Steinway Artist in 2010. He studied with master piano teacher Joseph Stanford at the University of Pretoria and was the first student to complete a doctoral performance degree specializing in classical and jazz piano.

Du Plessis has won numerous awards and has collaborated with several preeminent musicians and orchestras. He lives in Pretoria, South Africa.

Photo provide by Charl du Plessis.