LA GRANDE — The Eastern Oregon University music department, in collaboration with faculty members Mio Aoike and Peter Wordelman, is reaching out to announce Community Fazioli Piano Day on Saturday, April 12. This event invites individuals from the community to showcase their musical talent on the prestigious Fazioli piano in McKenzie Theatre.

Community Fazioli Piano Day invites community members to sign up and play the $150,000 Fazioli piano on stage at McKenzie Theatre in Loso Hall on the campus of EOU.

“For many, especially in a rural community like ours, this is an incredible opportunity to play such a unique and extraordinary instrument,” Aoike said. “We invite the community to come and display their talents.”

The morning session will begin at 10 a.m. for elementary, middle and high school students. The afternoon session starts at 1 p.m. for adults and college students. The music department is planning a special program as a grand finale, so everyone is encouraged to stay.

To participate in Community Fazioli Piano Day, sign up at https://tinyurl.com/fzvvnytc.

Performances are free for all to enjoy, with donations welcomed to further music education at EOU.

This event is a special outreach project aimed at providing a rare opportunity for individuals to perform on a world-class instrument. By participating, individuals not only enrich the local musical community, but they can also support the EOU Music Scholarship Funds through the EOU Foundation.

In December 2018, the EOU Foundation premiered the brand-new concert grand piano, the black Fazioli, during the Holiday Music Festival. Generous donors raised $150,000 in 12 months to purchase, tune and care for the instrument. The successful campaign highlighted a growing culture of philanthropy and significantly increased engagement among alumni and donors at the university.

The Fazioli replaced a 64-year-old piano that had been manufactured in 1953. The efforts to raise the $150,000 for the Fazioli worked in conjunction with a renovation of McKenzie Theatre.

“When students come and perform, we want to ensure that they have access to the best equipment in the region,” Wordelman said. “Now, the community has that opportunity as well.”

Through dozens of events, hundreds of EOU students, community members and guests perform alongside the grand piano in McKenzie Theatre every year, from choir concerts and visiting artists, to senior recitals and orchestra performances.