The music department at Concordia is enlarging its instrument collection with the addition of a 7-foot Steinway Grand Piano. In order to celebrate, a dedicatory recital was held in the Music Center Recital Hall on Sunday, Sept. 28.
Students and members of the faculty performed on the new piano at the dedication concert. The celebratory recital focused on classical music as well as recent compositions based on well-loved hymns written by Wayne Oquin, a faculty member at Juilliard.
"A high quality instrument makes playing and performing so incredibly rewarding," said Elizabeth Grimpo, assistant professor of music. "Expression and musicality can take on a whole new level when playing an instrument that responds well to your touch and ideas."
Each Steinway is handcrafted by expert mechanics and technicians. From start to finish, it usually takes at least one year and many skilled laborers to make each piano.
"All pianos have individual sounds and personalities, but that is especially true about Steinways," said Grimpo. "They are literally all unique creations, just like we are."
The new piano will be used for student and faculty recitals, both as a solo instrument and as a collaborative instrument with various voices and instruments.