Department of Music Receives Instrument Donations

Including a Kawai Grand Piano and Klop Continuo Organ

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The Department of Music at Andrews University has recently received several generous donations in the form of instruments. These instruments will be housed in either Hamel Hall or the Howard Performing Arts Center and will be used by various music students, faculty members and performers.

Most recently, a Kawai Grand Piano was donated by the Fairplain Presbyterian Church, which was previously located in Benton Harbor, Michigan. The donation was given in honor of Vladimir Slavujevic, an Andrews alumnus and the long-time music director of the church. Slavujevic is a professional musician who has contributed to Seventh-day Adventist churches across Europe and the United States. He has performed concerts for the Lake Union Conference along with his wife, daughters and sister. Slavujevic’s musical contributions have also been broadcast on the Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN) and the Hope Channel.

A Klop Continuo Organ was donated by the Rhoads family on behalf of the late Donald Rhoads, former chair of the University’s Department of Mathematics. Rhoads attended Andrews when it was previously Emmanuel Missionary College (EMC). His primary focus of study was mathematics. While in school, he met his wife, Jean Schlunt, and they both graduated from EMC in 1958. Rhoads returned to Andrews University as a professor of mathematics for a total of 18 years, spending six as the department chair. Rhoads passed away on Dec. 16, 2023, and the organ donation was orchestrated by his surviving relatives this year. The organ has already been put to good use, as it was a part of a concert performed by the Andrews University Singers and Chorale on April 5, 2025.

A Steinway Grand Piano was also donated in 2023 in memory of Phyllis Staples, a talented pianist and long-time resident of Berrien Springs, Michigan. Prior to her death in 2019, Staples served as a volunteer greeter at the Howard Performing Arts Center.

In addition to the gift of physical instruments, the Department of Music has also received numerous monetary donations toward its Steinway fund, which raises money for additional Steinway-branded pianos used for educational and performance purposes.

Max Keller, chair of the Department of Music, shares that the department is very grateful for the contributions it has received, noting, “We have all of our rooms and all of our spaces filled now, which is fantastic!” He affirms the high quality of the donations, noting that they will be used primarily by students within the department.

Carlos Lugo, a graduate student pursuing a master's degree in music performance, has found the recent donations helpful for his learning experience. He shares that he has used the Kawai Grand Piano in Hamel Hall to practice, and he finds it comfortable with a “refreshing sound,” perfect for practice and performance.

“Sometimes arts are disregarded by other budget priorities,” says Lugo. “Investing in the arts is investing in our soul. Donors should know that what they do is so beneficial for us, music students. They are investing in our talents so that we can succeed and change the world.”

Senior Aiko Ayala, whose bachelor’s degree in music performance is concentrated in piano, expresses “great joy” in being able to use the quality donations.

“Knowing that people care about my education makes me feel more confident in pursuing my goals as a musician and servant of God,” she says. “It also motivates me to try new things without worrying too much about limitations of instruments [or] finances. Therefore, donations are vital and appreciated for music students like me, who like to go beyond and above the standards, so that we can change the world one note at a time.”

Future music projects include the completion of the Howard Performing Arts Center, which opened in 2003. According to Keller, “The Howard was originally built with the intention of building a full-size organ in it.” While there are discussions of possible legacy donations contributing to the project, it will take significant resources to install an organ and officially finish the plans for the center.

To contribute to Andrews University’s Department of Music or any other Andrews initiative, please visit the Office of Development’s web page. To donate an instrument, please contact the Department of Music at music@andrews.edu.