As a performer, Hii has traveled extensively across the United States, Mexico, Germany and New Zealand. 

As a recording artist, he has released three CDs. Those releases include Johann Sebastian Bach: New Transcriptions for Guitar, which received critics’ rave reviews in Germany, England, Japan and the United States; Stream of Consciousness, a compilation of original works arranged for solo guitar and synthesizers; and Fréderíc Chopin: Nocturnes, featuring works by the famous composer that Hii  transcribed for guitar himself with nine of the 11 pieces on that CD being world premiere recordings. 

When released, Hii’s Bach CD was one of Guitar Player Magazine’s picks of the month, noting “His passionate rubato and penetrating tone contribute to a thrilling performance,” while The Washington Post called the CD “exciting” and “dazzling.” Acoustic Guitar Magazine labeled him “the Heifetz of the classical guitar.” 

Additionally, Hii was America Public Media’s featured artist on Performance Today on May 6, 2015, when he played his transcriptions from the Chopin: Nocturnes CD. The performance aired on National Public Radio all over the country, including local KEDT Radio 90.3. As a popular classical music radio program, that year Performance Today was broadcast to nearly 300 public radio stations nationally and reached approximately 1.4 million listeners.

Among Hii’s other credits, he is well-published and has had numerous articles in Soundboard, Guitar International, Gitarre und Laute and American String Teacher for which he is a former AST Guitar Forum Editor. Additionally, six of Hii’s Bach transcriptions have been published by Guitar Solo Publications. 

Hii has served as a member of the New York City Classical Guitar Society Artistic Advisory Board, and his most recent project has been a series of books called The Art of Virtuosity.

So, keep your calendar open this Thursday as DMC celebrates retired Professor Hii. It’s not “farewell” but rather “Fiesta! Philip Hii!”

About Del Mar College

Del Mar College empowers students to achieve their dreams. We offer quality programs, individual attention, outstanding instruction through faculty with real-world experience and affordable costs to credit and noncredit students in Corpus Christi and the South Texas Coastal Bend area. Nationally recognized while locally focused, we’re ranked in the top two percent of community colleges in the country granting associate degrees to Hispanic students (Community College Week). Del Mar College focuses on offering our students programs that match current or emerging career opportunities. Whether students are interested in the fine arts, sciences, business, occupational or technical areas, students get the education they need for the future they want at Del Mar College.