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The troubadour Steinway

Madison piano symbolizes JMU's funding focus on the arts

The Steinway Art Case

The Steinway Art Case, underwritten by Elizabeth Swallow and handpainted by Mia LaBerge ('92).

Steinway Art Case

Madison's new Steinway Art Case, unveiled April 25 at the Kennedy Center, has been moving from one celebrated arts venue to the next. On May 10, the hand-painted piano made a stop at Steinway Hall, just across the street from Carnegie Hall, for a Madison Century campaign reception for New York City alumni and friends.

The piano, symbolizing JMU's funding focus on the arts during the capital campaign, was on its way north to the Steinway factory for its final coat of protective lacquer.

Through the capital campaign, JMU is making a recommitment to the arts with a newly formed College of Visual and Performing Arts, the designation of JMU's School of Music as an All-Steinway School and the future Performing Arts Center, slated to open in 2009.

All-Steinway School

The All-Steinway designation is the same one held by music conservatories like Juilliard, Oberlin, the Cleveland Institute and Philadelphia's Curtis Institute.

Performing Arts Center

The new Performing Arts Center, which will also feature Steinways, will house a concert hall with seating for 600 and a recital hall for 200, a theater with full orchestra pit, rehearsal rooms for JMU's marching band and other ensembles, and performance and production space for the JMU School of Theatre and Dance.

JMU Centennial Steinway Series

Joining the Steinway Art Case in New York was the first limited edition of the JMU Centennial Steinway Series, commissioned to celebrate the 100th anniversary of JMU's founding in 1908.

Jordan Kitts Music is offering 100 of these limited edition Steinways, one for each year of Madison's centennial. The Centennial Steinways derive their inspiration from the original Steinway Art Case and feature the official James Madison University seal, JMU Centennial logo, music desk customized with a favorite JMU scene, handpainted by Mia LaBerge ('92), artist of the original handpainted Steinway Art Case (above).

Proceeds benefit JMU's capital campaign. To learn more about the Centennial Steinway Series, please contact Ken Saliba of Jordan Kitts Music Institutional Sales at (301) 513-1259.