Wade Seth Parks

Wade Seth Parks
April 24, 1921 ~ April 5, 2011

MONTEREY - Wade Seth Parks, age 89 years, passed away April 5, 2011.
Mr. Parks was born in Mishawaka, IN on April 24, 1921. At the age of 15 he gave his first piano performance in Chicago while studying with Leo Podolsky. Later, he studied with Rudolph Ganz and his assistant, Mollie Margolies. He also had extensive studies with Egon Petri, Alexander Libermann, John Crown and Alice Ehlers.
After completing his U.S. Army service, Wade received his Bachelor of Music Degree at the Chicago Musical College and his Master of Music Degree at the University of Southern California.
Prior to coming to the Monterey Peninsula, he spent several years on the faculty of the Music Department at the University of Oregon where he appeared often as a recitalist at the University as well as in the city of Portland, OR. Since coming here he has appeared in recitals in San Francisco and at Mills College and many times locally. He also taught many years in the Music Department at Monterey Peninsula College and had a private piano teaching practice. He performed here in many solo recitals, appearing numerous times with the Monterey County Symphony, as guest pianist with the Beyer String Trio, as soloist with the Monterey Peninsula Chamber Music Society and as guest artist with the Monterey County Orchestra, performing Brahms' Concerto in B flat, No. 2, and Brahms' Piano Quintet in F minor. One season Mr. Parks performed the Ravel Concerto in G major with the Monterey County Little Symphony, a work chosen to coincide with the observance of Ravel's 100th anniversary. In addition Mr. Park's students have been highly successful in winning the Monterey County Symphony and Chamber Music awards which present young artists in solo performances.
Mr. Parks' wife, Clarice passed away in 1996. He is survived by a son, Wade F. Parks aka Leo Pasasda of Salinas, CA.
Crypt Side Services will be held Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 10:00am at the San Carlos Catholic Cemetery, Monterey, CA.
Friends may go to: www.thepaulmortuary.com to sign an on-line guest book and leave messages.