Summerdale hosts concert in support of USA’s Steinway Initiative

By Jessica Vaughn / jessica@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 7/27/17

SUMMERDALE - On Sunday, July 23, the Town of Summerdale hosted a free concert put on by the University of South Alabama to raise awareness of their All-Steinway Initiative. Currently, the USA’s …

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Summerdale hosts concert in support of USA’s Steinway Initiative

Posted

SUMMERDALE - On Sunday, July 23, the Town of Summerdale hosted a free concert put on by the University of South Alabama to raise awareness of their All-Steinway Initiative. Currently, the USA’s Music Department is in desperate need for new pianos. The ones that they now own range from 60-90 years old, making them worn out and limit the performance standards of both the teachers and the students. In an effort to make the Music Department’s dream a reality, the university launched its All-Steinway Initiative, a cause being led by the Music Department heads and students to raise awareness and donations to put towards brand new Steinway pianos.

During the Summer Concert in Summerdale, guests were able to spend an afternoon listening to a variety of songs all performed on a Steinway, by Steinway Artist Robert Holm, a Professor of Music and head of the piano division at USA; Hannah Roberts, who earned a Master of Music Degree in Piano Performance from USA and a Bachelor of Arts in Music degree with honors from Thomas Edison State University; and Harvey Earls, who earned a Bachelor of Music with piano and clarinet primary from the University of Mobile and a Master of Arts in Religious Studies from Liberty University.

Along with being free to the public, the concert was also based entirely on requests by the audience. During the evening, the music ranged from the classics such as Canon in D Major by Johann Pachelbel, Sonata in C-sharp, op. 27, no. 2, “Moonlight” by Beethoven, as well as many compositions from Frederic Chopin. The classics were followed by more modern hits and hymns, such as Holy, Holy Holy, by John Bacchus Dykes, Habanera from Carmen, Somewhere from West Side Story, and Memory from Cats. The performers went above and beyond, coming out of their comfort zones and performing songs such as Second Waltz from Jazz Suite, op. 99 by Dmitri Shostakovich and Trees by Twenty One Pilots, using nothing but a Steinway piano to recreate the original song, percussions included. Some of the compositions were learned within a mere week, and were handled by the performers with an ease of being performed for years.

The Music Department holds events throughout the year to spread music, connect with the community, and to bring awareness to the department’s aging pianos and what a difference a Steinway can make in the lives of their students.

According to the University of South Alabama Music Department’s website: “Your financial partnership with the Department of Music is crucial to the success of our All-Steinway School Initiative. It is essential that we provide the finest tools for quality teaching and performing. Whether the gift is a single instrument or multiple instruments, each contribution will impact our students and faculty for decades to come. As a benefactor in our musical family, your generosity will continue to provide the department with inspiration and resources to further the pursuit of excellence in music.”

If you are interested in helping the USA Music Department reach their goal of making USA an All-Steinway School, please contact Department Chair Dr. Greg Gruner at 251-460-6804 or ggruner@southalabama.edu. For more information on the University of South Alabama or the Steinway Initiative, check out their website at www.SouthAlabama.edu.