The music department at Grand Valley State University is looking to the public for help in obtaining a new addition to its piano collection.

“We currently have a piano that we perform with, but it’s a very difficult one to use,” said Helen Marlais, associate professor of music. “It’s too big, oftentimes too loud, and while we use it for every recital, it’s one that is not allowing for the best performance or the best experience for performers or the audience.”

The department is hosting a benefit concert with the proceeds from the performance going into purchasing a new piano.

“In setting up this performance, I wanted to inform any lover of piano within the department, as well as the development office, so that we could see just how many donors would be interested,” Marlais said. “A grand piano will run us anywhere from $70,000 to $120,000, so really, any help would be hugely appreciated.”

The performance will feature the Grand Valley Winds, a collection of wind instrument professors here at GVSU.

It includes Sean Owen on flute, Marlen Vav?ôíkov?° on oboe, Arthur Campbell on clarinet, John Clapp on bassoon, Allen French on horn and Marlais accompanying on the piano.

“Grand Valley Winds’s mission is to enrich Grand Valley State University and its community by performing concerts of varied repertoire, promote chamber music in the region, serve the state by offering free public school clinics and recitals and host instrumental days for middle school and high school students,” according to the group’s mission statement.

They will perform various pieces, including one by Ludwig van Beethoven, “Piano Quintet in E flat major, Op. 16.”

“Not only are the members of this group truly talented, but it’s a really important issue that may seem trivial to those outside of the music department (even though) it truly affects every student here,” Vavrikova said. “It’s important to come out and support this cause, as it will not only benefit those who play piano, but it will make the experience of going to recitals all the better for those who attend them.”

Marlais said she hopes this is an issue other students take to heart, in addition to supporting the arts themselves.

“I feel as though in this day and age, it is so important for students and the public alike to come and support the arts, especially in their community,” she said. “It’s one of every community’s most important and greatest attributes and should be supported as such. It’s a way for (everyone) to come together and to allow the artists to truly express themselves and at the highest quality.”

The concert will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, in the Cook-DeWitt Center.

Tickets are $20 for the general public, $10 for students and seniors and $5 for pre-college students.

Donations are also greatly appreciated.

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