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Carolynn Steenbeke, a senior at Milan High School, plays the piano the choir program at Milan High School would like to purchase. A concert will be held 7 p.m. March 30 to raise funds to purchase the instrument from King's Keyboards in Ann Arbor.
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Donors supporting two Milan High School seniors' drive to provide their choir program with a new grand piano soon will get a sneak peek at exactly what they're donating toward.
Adam Irish and Carolynn Steenbeke, both seniors in the Milan High School choir program, recently launched a sponsorship drive to raise funds for the program's new piano and the refurbishment of an older piano. In an effort to supplement the sponsorship drive, the teens have now organized a benefit concert.
The concert will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. March 30 at the Milan High School theater. Admission will be free, but donations will be taken at the door and are strongly encouraged.
"We're very excited. It's going to be a very good concert," Steenbeke said. "It has been a little overwhelming putting it together, but it's going to be worth it."
The concert will feature Milan High senior vocalists Brad McNett and Chad Keilman, who Steenbeke describes as popular among Milan students and talented performers.
"They're both excellent singers," she said.
Also performing will be Milan pianist Gary Mull, the father of another choir member, along with other vocalists and pianists.
But arguably the star of the show might be the piano itself. Although Steenbeke and Irish have not yet raised enough funds to purchase the piano — a "C3" grand — from King's Keyboards music shop in Ann Arbor, the business has agreed to let the program borrow the instrument exclusively for the concert.
"This will be the first time we'll actually be able to use the piano," Steenebeke said.
Although the ongoing sponsorship drive was the brainstorm of Irish and Steenbeke, Steenbeke said the benefit concert idea originated with Shayla Powell, the choir's director.
Steenbeke is hopeful the concert will make a big difference as they continue to seek sufficient funds to make the instrument a permanent part of the Milan choir.
"We're going to be short if people don't donate," she said. "I'm not sure what we'll do."
The seniors also are continuing their sponsorship drive. The drive is seeking 88 sponsors, one sponsor for each of the 88 keys on the new piano. Sponsors will be honored with a small plaque to be displayed at the school.
For more information or to contact Irish and Steenbeke about a possible donation or sponsorship, call 439-7685 or e-mail buyakey2007@yahoo.com.
Staff Writer Jerry Hinnen can be reached at 429-7380 or jhinnen@heritage.com.
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