Through the generosity of the Perkins-Prothro Foundation and longtime fine arts donors Dale and Joe Prothro, the Department of Music in the Lamar D. Fain College of Fine Arts at Midwestern State University has been replacing much of its piano inventory.

The Department will welcome its new arrivals with a Piano Celebration Friday, Sept. 28. The celebration will begin at 6:30 p.m. with an open house for the music facilities in the C wing of Fain Fine Arts Center.

The highlight of the celebration will be a concert at 7:30 p.m. in Akin Auditorium. Martin Camacho, Dean of the Fain College of Fine Arts; Bolin Distinguished Chair of Piano Ruth Morrow; and students Nahye Byun, Aaron Johnson, Jessica Simek, and Levi Lamb will perform.

"We could not imagine a better way to celebrate the donation and acquisition of new pianos than with a piano concert," Camacho said. "It will allow us not only an opportunity to share with the community the beautiful sound and enormous opportunities that this gift represents, but also a moment to say thank you to the Perkins-Prothro Foundation and to Dale and Joe Prothro."

A reception will follow the concert at 8:30 p.m. in the Fain Instrumental Music Hall.

Morrow also said that a concert was the ideal way to express gratefulness for the pianos. "We want to celebrate their generosity, the instruments themselves, and the inspiration it has given students and faculty alike in our development and music-making," she said.

When the gift was announced, Camacho called pianos the cornerstone of any music program because they touch every student - from the piano students who need instruments to practice and perform, to the vocal and instrumental students who need accompaniment, to the choir and orchestra that need pianos for rehearsals and performances.

"It is difficult to imagine the landscape of the music in our community without the support of Dale and Joe Prothro," said Camacho. "This project, coming from them, crowns their efforts and is the single largest support specifically dedicated for the music program to date." The Prothros also established the Music Series at Akin in 2011, the premiere chamber music concert series for the city and region.

The new pianos are a mix of Steinway and Yamaha that will provide different experiences for the students' studies and development. An additional 15 instruments in the piano lab for non-piano major classes and the Piano for Children program were replaced. Pianos provided by private donors were retained.

The Prothro's gift is part of the Campaign for MSU Texas, a seven-year, $50 million comprehensive campaign for the University. The "Boundless Opportunities" theme reflects the outlook of the students, the university and the community.

For more information on the campaign, contact Tony Vidmar at 940-397-4782 or tony.vidmar@msutexas.edu.

For more information about the event or the piano replacement project, contact Camacho at 940-397-4243 or martin.camacho@msutexas.edu.