Piano Day
8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Location
Borland Center for Music and Theatre
Join us for a day of music and learning!
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Registration
Registration will close on Oct. 1 at 10 p.m. CDT.
Schedule
Monday, October 12, 2026
Registration and Check-In 8:30-8:45 a.m.
Welcome 8:50-9:00 a.m.
Masterclass I 9:05-9:50 a.m.
Snack Break/Music Trivia 9:55-10:10 a.m.
Masterclass II 10:15-11:00 a.m.
Session: Reducing Performance Anxiety Through Mental Practice and Visualization 11:05-11:30 a.m.
Student Choice 11:40 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Observe a choir rehearsal, practice piano on your own or visit with a clinician.
Lunch with your assigned college student 12:35-1:35 p.m.
Piano Day Participant Recital 1:45-2:30 p.m.
Open to the public
Session: Making the Piano Sing 2:35-3:00 p.m.
Masterclass III 3:05-3:50 p.m.
Closing Recital 4:00 p.m.
Piano Day clinicians
Open to the public
Cookie Reception 4:45 p.m.
Building and Recording Studio Tour available (optional)
Sessions
Making the Piano Sing
This session will offer approaches and ideas that can help pianists produce lyrical melodies on the piano. The music of Mendelssohn will be used for demonstration.
Reducing Performance Anxiety Through Mental Practice and Visualization
This session will examine the use of mental practice and visualization as performance-preparation strategies that mitigate the maladaptive effects of performance anxiety. Participants will explore practical techniques that build confidence and musical readiness that translates from the practice room to the recital stage.
Participant Recital
New this year! This is a recital given by selected Piano Day students. Limited space is available. If you are interested in performing, there will be a place in the registration form to indicate this.
Recital is open to the public.
Masterclasses
Students will be divided into small groups to work with a clinician. The clinician will hear a student perform a piece and will offer feedback on it. Think of it as a mini lesson with other people watching. Students have the choice of playing or simply observing.
Other Activities
- Tour the new music facility (optional)
- Tour the Concordia Nebraska campus (optional)
- Sit in on a choir rehearsal (optional)
- Eat lunch with Concordia Nebraska music students
- Attend a closing recital given by the clinicians
- Get a Piano Day t-shirt
Clinicians
Dr. Elizabeth Grimpo
Dr. Elizabeth Grimpo is professor of music at Concordia University, Nebraska. She teaches aural skills, music appreciation, beauty in the fine arts, and piano lessons. She collaborates and performs regularly with student musicians as well as the choral ensembles, touring with the University A Cappella Choir. Additionally, she performs regularly as a solo pianist, performing music from the classical repertoire as well as newly composed sacred music. She has written multiple volumes of graded settings of hymns and the liturgy, published by David’s Harp – A Center for Musical Development. In 2023, she was inducted into the Steinway Teacher Hall of Fame.
Mr. Calvin Rohde
Mr. Calvin Rohde is a pianist, organist and educator. Rohde graduated from Concordia University, Nebraska in 2024, earning a degree in music education. Rohde earned the Master of Music (2026) degree in piano pedagogy and performance at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL). While at Concordia Nebraska and UNL, Rohde studied with distinguished teachers such as Elizabeth Grimpo, Mark Clinton and Brenda Wristen. Rohde is currently pursuing the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree in piano performance at UNL, where he studies with Paul Barnes. Rohde teaches private organ lessons at Concordia and also keeps a small private studio, where he seeks to foster sound musicianship and a love of music in students of all ages and ability levels.
Music at Concordia Nebraska
Concordia University, Nebraska's music programs empower musicians of all backgrounds to glorify God, connect through vibrant ensembles and pursue excellence. Join a Christ-centered community where your musical gifts are nurtured and your faith amplified.