A beautiful new piano

I am delighted to share the wonderful news that Saint Philip’s has received a lovely gift from parishioner Mary Nickerson in honor of her late husband Jim Kautz.

Since last fall, Mary has worked with parishioner Gwen Powell to find a worthy performance instrument for the church. Their months-long search finally led to a 20-year-old Steinway Model B (the seven-foot model) in excellent condition.

The piano is from a limited 150th Anniversary line, and even sports the signature of Henry Zeigler Steinway on the cast-iron frame. Henry was the last member of the Steinway family to serve as President of Steinway & Sons from 1955-1977.

Checking out the piano was an involved procedure. It required the services of the chief piano technician at the University of Arizona’s School of Music, as well as a technician in Hutchison, Kansas, where the instrument was located. After receiving a positive report from both technicians, I traveled to Hutchison to play the instrument myself so I could offer my evaluation prior to the purchase.

This past Monday, the piano arrived directly from Kansas in a moving vehicle dedicated to such transports. It was moved quickly into the church, had a tripod installed under it, and moved to the front of the nave. By Sunday morning it will be in the West Transept where it will be stored.

As you can see from the photos, the piano is beautiful and in very good condition for its age. It will serve Saint Philip’s for many years to come, and facilitate numerous types of performances.

We are all humbled by and grateful for Mary Nickerson’s generosity. We are also thankful for yet another way to remember Jim Kautz’s lasting support for the music program at Saint Philip’s.

—Justin Appel, Director of Music