The generous donation of a Steinway Concert Grand Piano by local businessman Bob Urschel has prompted a two-night debut of the piano to the Duneland community. It was Urschel’s wish that the piano serve as an inspiration for students and staff for many decades.
The first is a Student Recital Night hosted by the Duneland School Corporation Music Department to showcase student talent on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 7:00 p.m. in the CHS Auditorium (Entrance #31). This concert is free and open to the public.
A total of 38 Duneland and St. Patrick School students in grades 3-12 auditioned for the event, and 27 were selected to perform on Sept. 30. All students performing in the recital study with a private teacher and will be playing a variety of classical music.
Those students are: Kaden Hawksworth and Ryan McWhirter of Yost Elem.; Ava Komp of Brummitt Elem.; Adrian Dooley, Ella Kean, Brock Redman and Sydney Szabo of Jackson Elem.; Payton Whalen and Lexie Lorino of St. Patrick School; Maizy Swanson, Anna Hawkins, Emily Richardson and Luke Stento of Liberty Intermediate; George Rone and Owen Rutherford-Westchester Intermediate; Hattie Hoham, Ian Rutherford, Danny Vear, Joseph Adcock, Gavin Dooley and Ben Hoham of Chesterton Middle School; and Tristan Dooley, Nicklaus Hanas, Annabel Turner, Kylie Sabol, Elizabeth Zehner and Jacob Miecznikowski of Chesterton High School.
The second of the two-night event will be the Steinway Dedication Concert on Thursday, October 1 at 7:00 p.m. in the Chesterton High School Auditorium (Entrance #31).
The first half of this concert will feature pianist Nicole Lee (http://www.valpo.edu/music/about/faculty/nicole-lee/) performing Beethoven's Piano Concert No. 5, The Emperor. Troy Webdell, conductor of the South Shore Orchestra as well as a CHS graduate, will guest conduct an orchestra made up of area professionals as well as several top players from the CHS Advanced Orchestra. The second half of the concert will feature the VU Faculty Jazz Trio plus Friends.
This second event requires everyone to have a ticket. Tickets are $10 for adults and free for students in K-12. Tickets will be available in advance at the CHS Music Office beginning Monday, Sept. 14 as well as at the CHS Auditorium Box Office on the night of the concert (checks payable to Duneland Education Foundation).
The Dedication is sponsored primarily by the Duneland Music Department with assistance from the Duneland Education Foundation, Quinlan and Fabish Music Store, and the Porter County Community Foundation. Other interested sponsors should contact Tom Schnabel, Duneland Director of Music Education at 983-3758.