Restored Steinway retains school’s connection to the past
Piano will get a workout at auditorium dedication
by Penny L. Pool
The music poured from the Steinway piano that celebrated the major events of the city of Roanoke for 42 years.
Thanks to Roanoke Schools Association, its tones are pleasing the ears once again.
The RSA worked hard on fundraisers, primarily its garden tours, to restore the piano placed in the City Auditorium in 1964.
Some questioned spending $20,000 on an “old” piano but former teacher and RSA Vice President Wayne Cato has a quick answer for that one.
“Because a piano of that caliber would have cost $75,000. A Steinway is the Mercedes of the line – just the top. Since none of us could figure out how to get $75,000 we decided to restore it,” Cato said.
“So many of us did our recitals on it so it was sentimental as much as anything else. We had a technician, John Lee of LaGrange, who looked at it for us and said it was well worth saving,” Cato said.
He disassembled it and worked on it for over a year. He called me up to come play it and I was just thrilled to play it,” Cato said.
Four years ago RSA rocketed into action when word circulated the auditorium was going to be torn down. The group formed to fight that and since it could not raise the money to save the auditorium it did what it could to save the piano, he said.
“We did the garden tours and we sold calendars and we have a right extensive membership and we charge membership dues,” Cato said.
Many of those members live other places but they are alumni who care about Roanoke City Schools. The president of RSA is Greg Shelnutt.
The group provided the state-of-the art video equipment and drop-down screen in the auditorium for the students of the future, Cato said.
The class of 1953 undertook the restoration of the portrait of L.L. James, longtime superintendent and an active member of the community during his life.
RSA also gave the lights on the front of the auditorium in memory of one of its founding members, Mrs. Sue Jette Brown Jones, now deceased.
Visitors at Sunday’s open house got an appetizer of the piano’s potential but they will get an entire meal Friday night at 7 p.m. as the auditorium is re-dedicated with a plethora of talent performing.
Tickets are free but you must have a ticket to attend. They can be obtained from the central office on Main Street.
Cato will welcome everyone followed by a program that includes Kathy and Steve Murphy playing the Fifth Symphony of Beethoven; three videos of reflections with interviews with former students, present students, community leaders etc.; renditions of “It Don’t Mean a Thing,” by the Backwater Belles, who during the program will also perform “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” “Rock Around the Clock,” “No Mountain High Enough” and Abba selections, featuring HHS dancers; Prelude in B Minor by Sanford Watson-class of 1985; Ricky Robertson-class of 1978; David Stevenson-class of 1970 playing an original selection; Jack Moseley-class of 1973 playing an original selection; interpretive dance by Leigh Burns-class of 1996; remarks by former Superintendent Thomas Turner and present Schools Superintendent Chuck Marcum, concluded with the alma mater, accompanied by Wayne Cato. A reception provided by RSA will follow in the new cafeteria. RSA is also underwriting the printing of the programs.
The group still plans to continue its support of Roanoke Schools. Look for news about their June 3 Garden Tour, which Cato said may just be the best one yet.
Earlier that day a celebration for the students will feature High School Principal Jimmy Holley and Marcum; a short video of the construction project and a “spoof” of David Letterman’s Top 10 most memorable events from the two-year long renovation.
