Music department gifted new concert piano

Home Culture Music department gifted new concert piano

The sounds of a Bösendorfer grand piano now brighten the halls of Hillsdale’s music department. The instrument, a gift from donors Nick and Joan Spiroff, took its place in Conrad Recital Hall on Feb. 18, adding a new voice to student musicians’ exploration of the liberal arts through excellence in music.

Last summer, music department chair James Holleman led the Spiroffs on a tour of the music department at Hillsdale. Though they expressed support for Hillsdale’s music program, Holleman assumed the conversation was over.

In the fall, however, he received a call from Joan Spiroff, who asked, “Have you ever heard of Bösendorfer pianos? Would you like one?”

“Yes, please!” Holleman replied.

The donors had accompanied Jim Evola of Detroit’s Evola Music to a concert featuring the Bösendorfer, and decided to donate the piano to Hillsdale College.

Accompanying the piano was an email from Joan Spiroff, saying simply, “Enjoy your addition to the music department with our compliments.”

Artisans at Bösendorfer, one of the world’s most prestigious piano manufacturers, take an entire year to construct a single custom-built instrument. Located in Vienna, Austria, one of the great centers of Romantic music, Bösendorfer has been instrumental in the evolution of the piano since its founding in 1828.

The piano will reside in Conrad Recital Hall, where students, teachers, and guest artists will play it for performances on a regular basis. According to Holleman, the gift of such a fine instrument is an excellent opportunity for musicians to learn how to care for an instrument properly while using it for its intended purpose: the creation of music.

“We are stewards of the donors’ gracious gift,” Holleman said.

Director of keyboard studies Brad Blackham praised the Bösendorfer piano as a good fit for Conrad.

“The Bösendorfer has a lively sound to it, maybe a bit brighter [than a Steinway],” he said. “From what I’ve heard of it, it sounds really good in there.”

The arrival of the Bösendorfer also produces a secondary benefit: the Steinway grand previously used in the recital hall will be moved to Blackham’s studio. Blackham said that this change, in addition to aiding his teaching and personal practicing, will also provide a place for piano duos to practice.

“We’ll have a spot with two grands where if people are working on two-piano music, they can rehearse in here,” Blackham said.

Piano teacher and choir accompanist Debbi Wyse said she looks forward to the teaching opportunities presented by the use of the new instrument.

“It inspires students to achieve more and to be better musicians because they know the potential of the instrument,” she said.

According to Wyse, the piano will grow along with its students.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how the instrument develops,” she said. “We have to break it in. It needs to be played a lot this semester.”

The gift of a new piano will  strike a chord in performers and audiences alike as they pursue beauty through music at Hillsdale. As the piano matures, so will the students, growing in musicianship and appreciating the quality of music made possible by their generous supporters.