Pianist profile: Herbert Purganan

Ever wondered about the pianist behind the piano in the common seating area near the café in the C building? Herbert Purganan, who goes by the name Herb, happens to be one of them.

The attention-grabbing tunes have been resonating off and on for “close to 20 years” of his life,” he said with a smile. “What’s really great about this piano is that I’m actually facing the wall, as opposed to the people, so I don’t have to worry about what their reactions are. “

Purganan says that he appreciates any postive reaction, but is glad the cricism doesn’t have to affect his playing. “If anyone’s pleased I’m really glad for that. But, if the reaction’s the opposite then I don’t have to see them,” Purganan said.

Purganan believes “there’s something very meditative about playing music. I really want to get back into that. It helps me think.”

Purganan has taken element music classes from Seattle University, but is taking a writing class at Bellevue College.

“I guess it’s another creative outlet. Or some personal narratives attributed to how music is, how people should experience it, the way I should, the way I do.”

Purganan is not even close to being alone in his musical endeavors at BC. Even in his writing class, he has spoken to someone “who plays a little bit of blues on the guitar, and we’ve spoken a little bit about music.”

He’s expressed some interest in learning the keyboard a little bit for instructional purposes.  “A lot of the musicians who like to play this piano like to keep the sound a little bit silent. So it’s a little bit hard to experience their own music.”

He concluded, “I haven’t done much listening here; I’d like to do that more.”

Purganan thanks all the BC students for letting him play for them.

“I hope I’m not being intrusive to other people’s concentration in the cafeteria. If anybody thinks I do intrude on their studies, you know, just let me know. I can turn the volume down. If anyone wants me to turn the volume up, I’d be glad to do that too.”