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SBU Piano Initiative kicks off with concert
Gilbert Kalish and colleagues to perform on Nov. 21 at fundraiser
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"For me, one of the biggest joys of being at Stony Brook University (is the music department) … We have incredibly talented people in the music department … Gilbert Kalish and Christina Dahl — they are just the best of the best … We are lucky to have this in our own backyard. What a gift!" said Evelyn Bromet, professor of psychiatry at Stony Brook University.
Kalish's awards and musical accomplishments are extensive, including three Grammy Award nominations. Currently, he is professor and head of performance activities at SBU.
But, the music department at SBU is facing a problem, that of aging pianos. Most have been around since the campus started, over 40 years ago. Noted Bromet, "The two concert grands that people see are just the tip of the iceberg. There are pianos that people practice on hours and hours every day … They are aging and have turned the corner. … It would cost more to fix them that it would to buy new pianos."
Pianos are needed not only for concerts but for students, both undergraduate and graduate, to practice on, in studios and to accompany choral groups.
Said Jane MacArthur, director of development at SBU's College of Arts and Sciences, "The average age of the pianos is over 40. They have taken a beating," over the many years. "Our piano tuner, Tom Malenich, can't tune them anymore. The pianos just don't hold the pitch."
"It's very discouraging to faculty and students alike," Malenich noted.
Said Judith Lochhead, chair of the music department, "One of our very best programs is our piano performance program. Professor Kalish built it up. We get 100 applications a year and only accept six. They come from all over the world. It's very competitive, very international. They come because of the fine reputation of the program."
Lochhead added, "In terms of pianos, there are two issues. One is the aging fleet, many purchased when the building open in the mid-70s … They are played nonstop. The other part is that we want to have only the best. We are working closely with Steinway to make this happen."
The All-Steinway program is a partnership, noted Malenich. "They help us and offer assistance with events. They provide an institutional discount which varies based on how many you buy." He continued, "By replacing the old pianos with Steinways we become an All-Steinway school which puts us in the ranks of the finest music schools."
But pianos are expensive, very expensive, and ultimately 86 of the 118 pianos at the university need to be replaced — 70 acoustic pianos and some 16 digital keyboards. Malenich, chief piano technician at the university, estimates that while the digitals are in the neighborhood of $1,500 each, the acoustic pianos, the largest number needing replacement, are more like $20,000. "The model D, the one we are trying to get for the Wang Center," is approximately $83,000.
Noted MacArthur, "There is no funding. We need the private sector to support us, to make this happen … SUNY is already absorbing another budget cut."
Said MacArthur, "We've successfully raised enough for our first piano. The Music Department will be making that selection soon of a brand-new Steinway." The donation for this first of many needed pianos came from Ernest Canandeo, president of EGC Group, award-winning advertising agency located in Melville. "Ernie is also a proud alumnus of Stony Brook University."
But, this is just the beginning of a long-term effort, an effort being kicked off with a concert by Gilbert Kalish and colleagues. Noted Bromet, "I have hosted concerts at my house for the Port Jefferson Arts Council and Tom Malenich comes to my house to tune the piano. Last summer, he told me they had started this All-Steinway initiative. I've grown up with a piano. (I thought) why don't we launch it here. I'd be honored to do it … The initiative itself came from the music department. I was thrilled and honored to offer."
Of Kalish, she added, "Gilbert Kalish is an amazing pianist … The fact that he's going to play at my house is incredible." Also at the concert will be Malenich, composers Peter Winkler and Sheila Silver and violinist Deede Cook.
Added MacArthur, "We are deeply grateful to Evelyn to do this. She's absorbing the cost of the entire evening," a sentiment echoed by Lochhead. "We're so happy to be doing this with Evelyn Bromet. She's so gracious to be doing this. We are so grateful to have her support."
The concert, which will include works by Mozart, Brahms, Schumann, Bach and Schubert, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 8 pm at a private residence. A $100-per-person donation to the Stony Brook University Foundation/Piano Initiative is requested. For tickets to this kickoff concert, email ebromet@gmail.com (preferred) or call 632-8853.
For those who can't attend the concert but wish to make a donation to the piano initiative, send a check to the Stony Brook University Foundation/Piano Initiative c/o Jane MacArthur, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3391. Donations are tax-deductible.
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