Musicians hate seeing quality instruments go unused, and Steve Litwiller is no exception.
Litwiller is an adjunct professor at Central Methodist University who serves on the board of Friends of Historic Boonville. The group had replaced the beautiful piano at Thespian Hall with a shiny new Steinway. The old Baldwin piano was in great shape, but it had been sitting idle for too long.
“The Friends needed the space, but not everybody has space for a 7-and-a-half foot grand (piano) in their living room,” Litwiller said.
So Litwiller got an idea. “Why not see if CMU could use it?”
After Litwiller and the board had a few conversations, things fell into place. The Friends of Historic Boonville voted to donate the piano to CMU.
“The Friends (FOHB) are thrilled and so is CMU,” said Litwiller. “It made so much sense. We have such a good relationship with CMU and hope to grow CMU’s involvement in the Missouri River Festival of the Arts.”
“We are so appreciative,” said Dr. Dori Waggoner, chair of the division of fine arts at CMU. “I can’t say enough about this wonderful gift.”
The piano will be moved to Fayette on October 8, making an early morning journey from Thespian Hall to the CMU choir room in Classic Hall. Waggoner said the addition allows CMU to send a different piano out for refurbishment.