Department of Music receives instrument donations

Including a Kawai Grand Piano and Klop Continuo Organ

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ANDREWS UNIVERSITY’S DEPARTMENT of Music has recently received several generous donations in the form of instruments. These instruments are housed in Hamel Hall and 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, previously located in Benton Harbor, Michigan. The donation was given in honor of Vladimir Slavujevic, an Andrews alumnus and the longtime music director of the church.

Earlier in the year, 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.

A Steinway Grand Piano was donated in 2023 in memory of Phyllis Staples, a talented pianist and longtime resident of Berrien Springs, Michigan.

In addition to the gift of physical instruments, the Department of Music has also received numerous 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 high-quality contributions it has received, noting, “We have all of our rooms and all of our spaces filled now, which is fantastic!”

Carlos Lugo, a music performance graduate student, has found the recent donations helpful for his learning experience. He shares that he has used the Kawai Grand Piano, 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 music performance degree 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.”