Unlock Your Musical Potential: Community Fazioli Piano Day at EOU

Unlock Your Musical Potential: Community Fazioli Piano Day at EOU

LA GRANDE, Ore. – The Eastern Oregon University (EOU) Music Department, in collaboration with faculty members Mio Aoike and Peter Wordelman, is reaching out to announce Community Fazioli Piano Day, April 12, 2025. This event invites individuals from the community to showcase their musical talent on the prestigious Fazioli piano in McKenzie Theatre.

Community Fazioli Piano Day invites community members to sign up and play the $150,000 Fazioli piano on stage at McKenzie Theatre in Loso Hall on the campus of EOU.

“For many, especially in a rural community like ours, this is an incredible opportunity to play such a unique and extraordinary instrument,” Aoike said. “We invite the community to come and display their talents.”

This event is a special outreach project aimed at providing a rare opportunity for individuals to perform on a world-class instrument. By participating, individuals not only enrich the local musical community but can also support the EOU Music Scholarship Funds in the EOU Foundation.

In December 2018, the EOU Foundation premiered the brand-new concert grand piano, the black Fazioli, at the Holiday Music Festival. Generous donors raised $150,000 to purchase, tune, and care for this high-quality instrument in 12 months. The successful campaign highlighted a growing culture of philanthropy and significantly increased engagement among alumni and donors at EOU.

The Fazioli replaced a 64-year-old piano that had been manufactured in 1953. The efforts to raise the $150,000 for the Fazioli worked in conjunction with a renovation of McKenzie Theatre.

“When students come and perform, we want to ensure that they have access to the best equipment in the region,” Peter Wordelman said. “Now, the community has that opportunity as well.” 

Through dozens of events, hundreds of EOU students, community members, and guests perform alongside the grand piano in McKenzie Theatre every year, from choir concerts and visiting artists, to senior recitals and orchestra performances.

To participate in Community Fazioli Piano Day, simply sign up using the provided Google Form. Performances are free for all to enjoy, with donations welcomed to further music education at EOU.

The morning session will being at 10 a.m. for elementary, middle and high school students.  The afternoon session will begin at 1 p.m. for adults and college students. The Music Department is planning a special program as a grand finale, so everyone is encouraged to stay.