The Western Carolina School of Music will host the debut of the newest addition to their acclaimed music-makers in a concert on Tuesday Feb. 15.
A nine-foot “D” concert grand piano is replacing an older Steinway model that has been providing music for WCU for 34 years. The Feb. 15 concert titled, “Steinway our Way” will begin an effort for WCU to become an “All-Steinway School.”
“We are hoping this will be the first of many new pianos in the School of Music as we hope to someday become the first ‘All-Steinway School’ in the University of North Carolina system. This would truly be a mark of distinction,” said Brad Ulrich, professor of music.
To be distinguished as an “All-Steinway School,” WCU will have to replace approximately 50 pianos to Steinways.
“Certainly, with the event on Feb. 15, we hope to bring attention to this idea,” said Meg White, director of development. “However, we won’t be actively pursuing this until a major university-wide campaign is instituted in the next 1-3 years.”
The Feb. 15 concert, titled “Steinway Our Way,” will feature a variety of musical styles with WCU faculty pianists Andrew Adams, Bradley Martin and Pavel Wlosok as soloists and in combination with instrumental and vocal faculty members.
The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in WCU’s recital hall of Coulter Building. Tickets for the event are $15 for the general public and $5 for students. Proceeds will benefit the Steinway Piano Fund and help the School of Music in its goal of becoming an All-Steinway School.
Audience members will be welcome and encouraged to come to the stage and view the new instrument.
“This will be an exciting night for our school and we hope many from the community will attend and hear our newest addition to our musical family,” said Ulrich.
