kprsteinway
News Releases
1/25/08
LAWRENCE – A Haydn sonata and a Debussy etude christened KPR’s new Steinway piano in a live broadcast on Friday, Jan. 25. KU doctoral student Michael Kirkendoll performed on the Steinway Music Room Grand Piano for Rachel Hunter’s classical music show.
A generous contribution to KU Endowment by KPR supporters Phil and Beth Harrison of Lawrence enabled the station to purchase the piano. The Harrisons have been longtime supporters of both Kansas Public Radio and music education, in which Beth Harrison has a degree. She taught music in public school and is the former band director for the McLouth School District. Phil Harrison is a retired real estate broker and investor.
“We are very enthusiastic about live-performance radio,” Phil Harrison said. “So few stations originate that kind of programming. It is a shame that they do not and a great thing for northeastern Kansas that KPR does. It is a good way to showcase the outstanding talent at the University of Kansas.
“There is no other place in this part of the country that a good musical instrument could be put to use that would be heard and enjoyed by so many people. We hope that the Steinway will play a role in an increased number of live and recorded performances in the future. The more the better.”
The piano will be a quite a legacy gift to the station, KPR General Manager Janet Campbell said.
“This gift will last a lifetime and beyond,” she said. “Performers and students will have the pleasure of playing this fine instrument for years to come. It’s a gift that benefits not just Kansas Public Radio, but all the listeners and performers as well. We’re profoundly grateful to the Harrisons for their generosity.”
The piano was purchased from Schmitt Music in Overland Park.
KPR, licensed to the University of Kansas, broadcasts on KANU 91.5 FM in Lawrence, KANH 89.7 FM in Emporia, KANV 91.3 FM in Olsburg-Junction City and K210CR 89.9 FM in Atchison. KPR can be heard on the Internet at kpr.ku.edu. KPR also operates KPR-2, a news-talk channel on HD Radio. Those broadcasts can be heard on an HD receiver or on KPR’s Web site.
The Harrisons’ gift was made to KU Endowment, an independent, nonprofit foundation serving as the official fundraising and fund-management organization for KU. Founded in 1891, KU Endowment is the first foundation of its kind at a U.S. public university.
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