TAMIU Steinway Piano Series Offers ‘Secrets,’ Performance Oct. 29

Learn the Secrets of the Steinway and stick around for the first of the Steinway Piano Recital Series at Texas A&M International University Sunday, Oct. 29 from 3 – 5:30 p.m. in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall.

Admission is free and open to the public.

Deborah Moore, with Steinway Gallery of San Antonio will present The Secrets of the Steinway, a brief lecture on Steinway & Sons pianos. Moore will present facts about the unique manufacturing of a Steinway piano, historical information on the development of the piano as an instrument and, basically, why a Steinway is a Steinway.

TAMIU is one of only two universities in Texas to be named an “All Steinway School.”

Following the lecture will be the first of the two recitals in the Steinway Piano Recital Series, with a performance by Dr. Fritz Gechter, associate professor of music and piano. The Seattle, Wash., native has appeared as a soloist and a collaborative artist in the US and abroad. He has been a gold medal winner of several piano concerto competitions, including the Spokane Allied Arts Festival in 1990 and The University of Texas at Austin concerto competition in 1994. Dr. Gechter received a Bachelor of Music in piano performance from Central Washington University and his Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in piano performance from UT Austin.

The second performance is scheduled for March 25, 2007, with Frances Renzi. An experienced teacher and performer, she is Professor Emerita at the University of Toledo.

The lecture and recital are two of many performing arts events on campus that are free and open to the public.

Upcoming events include:

The first ever Band Extravaganza on Friday, Nov. 3 at 7:30 p.m. in the CFPA Recital Hall. This event is free and open to the public.

The Sharkey-Corrigan Organ Recital Series is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 12 at 4 p.m. with Mariko Morita, visiting assistant professor of music/accompanist and organist.

For a complete list of events at TAMIU, please visit http://www.tamiu.edu/coas/fpa/coe.shtml

For more information on the Steinway Series, please contact Dr. Gechter at 326.2639 or e-mail fgechter@tamiu.edu or visit offices in CFPA 233D.

University office hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu