Piano project donates to middle school art departments

Published 12:00 am Thursday, June 2, 2016

SALISBURY — Thanks to the many generous donors who supported this year’s “Come Tickle Our Ivories” piano project, the Salisbury Symphony was able to donate $300 to each of the participating schools’ art departments.

Eleven area middle schools participated in the project, spending months decorating donated pianos for the downtown art installation. Organizer Mary James said she wanted the installation to benefit the community, as well as the schools.

“Limited budgets often find teachers dipping into their own pockets or reaching out to parents for supplies, so this comes as a welcomed gift and reflects the symphony’s commitment to supporting our students,” James said in an e-mailed press released.

The benefitting public middle schools include China Grove, Corriher-Lipe, Erwin, Knox, North Rowan, Southeast, West Rowan, Sacred Heart, Salisbury Academy and Rowan County Early College.

After the gift to the art departments and covering costs, the balance of funds raised will go to symphony youth education programs.

Donors were:

Baby grand level ($1,000): Will and Mary James.

Upright level ($500): Greg and Missie Alcorn, Freirich Foods, Mark and Virginia Robertson and Lee and Mona Lisa Wallace.

Spinet level ($250-$300): Charles and Rachel Oestreicher Bernheim, John and Cris Brincefield, Shawn and Leah Campion, Raymond and Kay Coltrain, David Post Law, Bill and Sue Davis, Glenn and Beth Dixon, Dr. Mary Frances Edens, Luke and Diane Fisher, Paul and Sue Fisher, Dr. Don and Bethany Fortner, Gerry Wood Auto Group, Dr. David Hagy, Kiran Jagarlamudi and Pragathi Ravi, Edward and Susan Norvell, Fred &andAlice Stanback and Dr. Martha West.

Keyboard level ($50-$100): Reid and Tina Acree, Gus and Barbara Andrews, Matt and Gwin Barr, Ken and Kathryn Clifton, Steve Cobb and Jennifer Hubbard, Jerry Cochran, Allen and Michelle Cook, Bob and Sara Cook, Harold and Judy Ann Deal, Jay and Meg Dees, Steve and Robin Fisher, Jane Gamewell, Will and Amy Goodnight, Fle Griffith, Lyndia Heward, Geoffrey and Dottie Hoy, Richard and Dale Huffman, Michael and Cecelia Hughes, Linda Jones, Sue McHugh, Bud and Betty Mickle, Nancy Mott, Al and Babe Nobles, Scott and Kim Robinson, Robert and Kathryn Rusher, Sacred Heart Catholic School, Salisbury Academy, Greg and Kristin Shields, Chip and Luanne Short, Bethany Sinnott, Blaine and Andrea Smith, Cliff and Barb Sorel, Stitchin’ Post Gifts, Lane Wallace, Jason and Tracy Walser, Walser Technology Group, Dr. Ken and Nancy Washko, Carol Waters, Billy and Scotti Webb, Dr. Robert and Susan Whitaker, Brad and Traci Williams, Brannon and Whitney Wallace Williams, Paul and Beth Woodson, Jean Wurster and Bryan and Mary Wymbs.

Other contributions: Lori Burke and Mary Ellen Turner.