Emily Johnson, Staff Writer~
The college will be hosting a dedication concert for the music department’s new Steinway Concert Grand D piano. The piano, which cost over $150,000, was purchased with donation money from alumni in order to enhance opportunities for students in the department, as well as local musicians.
“The college and music department raised a lot of money to purchase this piano, and it sounds amazing,” concertmaster Colin Coviello said.
Before this purchase, the department had been using a Steinway Concert Grand B piano. The difference in the two pianos is the length of the strings. While the Grand B has seven-foot strings, the Grand D has nine-foot strings. This makes the pianos much more responsive.
Steinway refers to the Grand D piano as “the overwhelming choice of the world’s greatest pianists and for anyone who demands the highest level of musical expression.”
The event will feature a performance of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” by music professor Noemi Szigeti Lee and the LC Wind Symphony and Orchestra. In addition, professor Jeremy Craft and Doctor Cynthia Ramsey will be playing a few four-hand pieces, with a theme of “European Dances.”
“The music and the performers are great,” Coviello said. “I sit next to Noemi Lee for the concert and it is amazing to watch her play. It’s going to be great fun.”
The event will be on Friday, Oct. 27 at 8 p.m. in Sydnor Performance Hall. For advance free tickets call the music office at (434) 544-8344.