(Spirit Lake)– A Spirit Lake businessman has made another significant donation to the Sami Bedell Center for the Performing Arts under construction just east of the Spirit Lake High School.
Superintendent Tim Grieves says Tom Bedell, Chairman of the Board of Spirit Lake-based Pure Fishing and a 1968 graduate of Spirit Lake High School, has gifted 90-thousand dollars, making it possible for the school to purchase a high-quality grand piano to be placed on the Sami Center stage.
The red Yamaha piano will be of a limited edition with only 50 being manufactured. The piano is highly endorsed by pop star Elton John.
Grieves says the special piano “exemplifies excellence and prestige that will distinguish the SAMI as a unique arts venue”.
The piano, known as a “disklavier”, has the capability to record and play back music performed on it. Yamaha has included five Elton John hits specially recorded in Spain including “Tiny Dancer”, “Your Song”, “Rocket Man”, “Candle In The Wind”, and “Take Me To Your Pilot”.
The seven foot six inch grand piano, which he nicknamed Nikita, celebrates Sir Elton’s years of greatest music and the long-standing relationship between Yamaha and the musician.
Grieves says the red piano will fit in nicely, especially since the school’s colors are red and black.
Sheryl Hall of Spirit Lake heads up a collaborative group known as “ArtsLIVE” and has been very active in helping design the Sami Center. She says they’re very greatful for the gift and very excited by it.
Hall says a music stand that goes on the piano will be autographed by Elton John following a concert in the next few months in Las Vegas. Sami Bedell will be on hand for the event.
On a related note, Hall says they’re using the announcement of the piano donation to launch a major fundraising campaign to help defray future expenses of maintaining the Sami Center. She says their goal is to raise 88-thousand dollars.
Sami Bedell will debut the red piano when she performs at the high school concert band at the opening ceremonies for the Sami Center in the fall of 2007.
You can see what the piano looks like by going to www.yamaha.com/publications/accent/accentwinter2006/welcome.html
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