Howard Payne University will host special guest Ron Losby, president of Steinway & Sons – Americas in New York City, this Thursday, May 1. Losby (pictured left) will preside over a ribbon cutting ceremony to kick off HPU’s campaign to become an All-Steinway School. The ceremony will follow the 19th annual American Music Spectacular presented by HPU’s Symphonic Band. The evening’s events begin at 7:30 p.m. in the university’s Mims Auditorium and are free and open to the public. A meet-and-greet reception with Losby will follow in Grace Chapel.

Steinway & Sons, founded in 1853 by German immigrant Henry Engelhard Steinway, is dedicated to the ideal of making the finest pianos in the world. Losby has served as president of Steinway & Sons for the Americas since 2008. He is an accomplished pianist and has studied at both the San Francisco Conservatory and The Juilliard School in New York City.

“We’re delighted to have Mr. Losby on campus this week as we celebrate our decision to become an All-Steinway School,” said Dr. Bill Ellis, university president. “Steinway pianos are the best keyboard instruments we can offer our student and faculty musicians as well as all of the musical guests we host on campus. Becoming an All-Steinway School will also benefit our university in recruiting students and faculty in the fine arts.”

The American Music Spectacular is an evening of Americana that has become a tradition within the Central Texas area, said Corey Ash, associate professor of music and director of bands.

“We will celebrate the American spirit and those who have fought and struggled to help win our freedom and democracy,” he said.

Song selections include “American Civil War Fantasy,” “America the Beautiful,” “At a Dixieland Jazz Funeral” and more.

“The band will also perform a special piece titled ‘Armed Forces Salute’ during which the men and women of our armed forces will be honored,” said Ash. “You won’t want to miss this amazing night of music celebrating America!”

For more information about the concert, contact HPU’s School of Music and Fine Arts at (325) 649-8500. More information about the university’s Steinway campaign can be obtained by calling the Office of Institutional Advancement at (325) 649-8006.

Pictured below: Dr. Elizabeth Wallace, professor of music, performs on a Steinway piano during a recent campus event.