ENNIS — The Ennis School music program recently received a special gift that promises to offer years of musical learning and enjoyment.
Following the Labor Day memorial concert that celebrated the life of Theda Hall, longtime Ennis resident Emerson Hall presented a sevenfoot Steinway Grand Piano to the school in memory of his late wife.
The grand piano was brought in from the Montana Piano Company to accommodate Steve Hall's piano concert. Steve Hall, the nephew of Emerson and the late Theda Hall, played a repertoire of pieces in memory and celebration of Theda Hall's life. At the conclusion of the concert, Emerson Hall proudly presented the grand piano to the school.
According to high school music teacher Ellie Creek, the seven-foot Steinway piano is considered to be of the highest quality in the industry.
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Steinway pianos, which are built in either New York or Germany, require the expertise of over 100 people during the exacting building process. The Steinway donated to the school was built in New York in 1995 and utilized 160 different people during the various building stages.
Hall purchased the piano from the original owner through the Montana Piano Company.
Grand pianos differ from their counterparts in how the soundboard is laid out. In a grand piano, the soundboard is flat. With a flat soundboard, sounds and tones are stretched making the vibrations of the strings clearer. The result is a purer, less muffled tone. Tones are also clearer because the top of the piano can be opened, thus exposing the soundboard. These pure tones have Creek and her students excited about the school music program.
"Words can't express what a gracious gift and impact this is to our program. It makes us feel more important. It validates our philosophy on how important music is in our schools. The kids are in awe when they see it. They are excited when they play it and hear it," said Creek.
Since its arrival at the school, the grand piano has been put to daily use, much to the delight of Creek and her students.
"We are using it daily for choir rehearsals and piano lessons. We will be using it for concerts. We are just elated to be playing the highest quality piano available," said Creek.
Hall, who lost his wife of 59 years this past August, wants students to appreciate a gift he lovingly donated in his late wife's memory.
"I loved my wife. I thought she would be happy if she knew I did that. I want the students to make the most of it. Hopefully they appreciate it. I'm sure the music teacher will appreciate it. She seemed very happy to have it," said Hall.
Both Creek and her students are excited for their November concert at which time they will perform a piece in honor of Emerson and Theda. Creek hopes that the special concert will go a long way in thanking Emerson for his wonderful gift, adding, "At our first concert we will be performing a piece that was one of Theda and Emerson's favorites as our gift back to him."
Keeley Fitzgerald is a correspondent for The Montana Standard's Three Rivers Edition. She can be reached at keeleyfitz@hotmail.com