Concert to raise funds for piano

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BOUNTIFUL — A benefit concert will take place at St. Olaf Catholic Church to raise funds to purchase a piano for the parish.

“We are in need of a replacement for the current piano and, since we need to upgrade, it will be wonderful to praise God in song using an instrument that will serve our community for generations to come,” said Holly Dodge, a music teacher at St. Olaf Catholic School who is planning the fundraiser.

The piano is used for both school and parish Masses and events as well as community events.

“We are hoping that this piano can be used in worship and celebration, school events, funerals, weddings and all of the music that brings our community together and have a lasting impact on the St. Olaf Catholic community,” Dodge said.

The title of the concert, “88 Keys,” reflects the fact that a piano has 88 keys, and the school is looking for donors for each “key.” Smaller donations also will be accepted.

“We are looking for 88 donors to each purchase a ‘key’ for the piano at $284 each. The total cost of the instrument is roughly $25,000,” Dodge said.

The parish’s current instrument is a spinet upright piano, which is the smallest of the upright pianos and has shorter keys, which translates to poor harmonics and tones, she said.  

The concert, scheduled for Nov. 12, will feature the Westminster Singers conducted by Dr. Jane Fjeldstead, with Emily Williams as the pianist.

Williams is the resident vocal coach and pianist at Westminster College in Salt Lake City. She has collaborated on chamber music at various universities, and spends her summers in Italy as a principal rehearsal pianist with La Musica Lirica, a summer program for young American performers, according to her biography.

“Members of the St. Olaf and Bountiful community will also be participating in the concert,” Dodge said.

WHAT: ‘88 Keys’ benefit concert

WHEN: Nov. 12, at 7 p.m.

WHERE: St. Olaf Catholic Church, 1793 Orchard Dr., Bountiful

Free and open to the public. To donate, scan the QR code on the poster.