SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Two new Steinway Grand Pianos have been donated to the Evangel University Department of Music for use in student instruction. The instruments were delivered to the Barnett Fine Arts Center on Friday, October 9, 2020.
“These wonderful pianos are in reality a double blessing to our students,” said Dr. Greg Morris, professor of music at Evangel. “They now can have lessons on pianos that closely replicate the power and response of a nine-foot Concert Grand piano, while also gaining better practice room instruments.”
A new seven-foot “Model B” Classic Grand piano is set up in Morris’s studio, and a five-foot/seven-inch “Model M” Medium Grand piano is in the studio of his fellow piano instructor, Jane Harris.
Their previous studio pianos will be moved into practice rooms for daily student use.
The new Steinways were donated by Dr. Samuel E. Coryell and delivered by the regional authorized Steinway dealer, Schmitt Music of Kansas City.
Sam and Carol Coryell — owners and developers of TLC Properties of Springfield — both taught music at Evangel, prior to the founding their family-owned and operated apartment management company.
Their sons, Sam M., Daniel and David play vital roles in the company. All three attended Evangel; Daniel and David are both 2003 EU graduates.
Music at Evangel
The two new Steinways join the nine-foot Steinway “D” Concert Grand piano donated to Evangel in 2019 by the Barnett family and the Christian Fidelity Foundation, according to Morris.
The Concert Grand is used for faculty and student recitals, visiting artists, and regional and international music competitions held on the campus of the University. It is housed in a climate-controlled storage area that was specially constructed behind the stage of Barnett Recital Hall.
Steinway is recognized as the finest piano in the world. Steinway & Sons was founded in 1853 in a Manhattan loft, and the company moved to its present location in the Astoria section of Queens, New York, by 1891.
More than 1,500 prominent concert artists and ensembles throughout the world carry the title Steinway Artist.
The Department of Music at Evangel offers majors in music education, music performance, recording technology and worship leadership. Each program is carefully designed to ensure that students build strong musical skills, gain professional training and experience a wide range of musical activities.
The department is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music and the Missouri Association of Departments & Schools of Music.
Evangel University, with the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary (AGTS), is a comprehensive Christian university committed to excellence in educating and equipping students to serve the church and society globally.
Evangel and AGTS serve more than 2,100 students from all 50 states and numerous foreign countries, offering 70 undergraduate majors and 19 master’s and doctoral degrees.
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