Longtime Concordia Nebraska supporters make surprise Steinway Spirio donation to university

by Amy Crawford

Seward, NE (09/12/2024) — Concordia Nebraska Music Department Chair Dr. Kurt von Kampen and Professor of Music Dr. Elizabeth Grimpo didn't think much about the advancement meeting they had been asked to participate in on Thursday, July 18. After they sat down with Vice President of Institutional Advancement Derek Engelbart and Senior Director of Development and Engagement Scott Seevers, their meeting was interrupted by a driver seeking help with a delivery to the university's music building.

Slightly puzzled but willing to help, von Kampen and Grimpo walked outside with Engelbart and Seevers to see how they could provide assistance. They approached a large delivery vehicle, the back door opened and confetti cannons popped amid shouts of "surprise!" Inside the van were long-time university supporters Andy and Dee (Saucier) Hartmann, university President Dr. Bernard Bull, Steinway & Sons' Peter Wagner and a 760-pound, seven-foot Steinway Model B Spirio grand piano that the Hartmanns were donating to the university.

"This surprise was over a year in the making," explained Seevers. "It was so much fun to work with Andy and Dee on this. They made all of the arrangements to order the instrument and eventually have it trucked to the university. There were numerous secret meetings with university and institutional advancement leaders to make arrangements, and clever code phrases were used in texts to communicate during different parts of the process. Of course, Kurt and Elizabeth were very pleasantly surprised!"

In June 2023, von Kampen, Grimpo, Andy and Dee visited the Steinway factory in New York to select a seven-foot Steinway B grand piano that the Hartmanns donated to the university. During that visit, Grimpo had the opportunity to see a Spirio in action, and she was enchanted.

"It was at that moment that I looked at Andy and winked," said Dee. "And that's where this all started. It was the beginning of this wonderful surprise."

The Hartmanns support of the university dates back to Andy's parents William "Bill" Hartmann and his wife Doris. Strong supporters of the Seward community and Concordia Nebraska, the couple was especially dedicated to the mission of the music department. In 2020, the couple donated a nine-foot Steinway concert D grand piano, which is currently located in the university's recital hall.

"After Andy's father passed away, we sat down and talked about what we would do to carry on his legacy," said Dee. I also come from a musical background. My Mom sang opera, and my dad was a classical guitarist. Music is important to us, and it was so important to Bill and Doris."

Bill received the university's Crest of Christ Award in 2013, and Bill and Doris received the university's Honorary Bulldog Award in 2000.

"Dad and mom loved the Concordia Nebraska music department and everything involved with it," added Andy. "Whenever there was a music concert, whether it was at St. John or at the university, we were always the first people there. We were usually 45 minutes to an hour early, we always sat in the same spot, and dad and mom were always dressed updad was always in a suit."

Concordia Nebraska seeks to join a prestigious list of approximately 200 All-Steinway Institutions around the world. The university would be the second in the state of Nebraska. The goal is to have only Steinway pianos for practice and performance and to provide students with the best instruments, ensuring the best music education possible.

The new Steinway Spirio is housed in the choir room in the university's Borland Center for Music and Theatre. The Spirio is more than a high-resolution player piano. The university's piano came with an iPad that allows access to the Spirio music library. The frequently-updated library includes countless performances of a wide variety of music performed at Steinway's studios. Through the use of proprietary audio translation software, the Spirio library also includes performances by musical legends like Duke Ellington and Sergei Rachmaninoff. Integrated volume control allows for adjustment of the piano's playback intensity from concert-level to subdued small gathering.

"First, it's important to remember that the Spirio is a full-size grand piano. Its touch and tone are really quite beautiful. But beyond that, the Spirio has technological capabilities that will provide huge educational benefits," explained Grimpo. "We will be able to bring concert artists right into our music building by playing their recordings, not through a computer with a speaker, but right on the piano. There is no better way to learn from an artist than by 'being in the concert hall with them' so to speak, to hear the nuances, technique and artistry of their performance. Additionally, this instrument has the capability to record directly on itself, which students can use to play back and evaluate their own performances, again, not on a recording app on a phone, but on the grand piano itself. The difference is huge. In a nutshell, it will elevate the artistry of our student musicians and will also open up possibilities for virtual collaborations with other Spirios throughout the nation and world. The technology is truly remarkable."

Andy and Dee said the day of the surprise donation was such fun and full of many poignant memories. A funny wrinkle that no one expected: another Steinway had to be unloaded from the delivery truck in order for Andy, Dee and the others to fit in the vehicle for the surprise delivery.

"They unloaded that thing and put it next to my dirty, old pickup truck," laughed Andy. "But it worked. It was just one of many fun things that happened that day."

After the Spirio was installed, Andy and Dee had the opportunity request music favorites played on the grand piano. He requested "God Bless America." She asked for "Amazing Grace."

"This gift is one way we can contribute to giving these students the best possible education," said Andy. "My parents were committed to helping Concordia be an all-Steinway university. Mom and dad wanted to show Concordia that they stood behind the university in this quest. We're honored to continue that. And yes, we go to performances whenever we can. And we try to be in the front row, too."

A demonstration recital featuring the Steinway Spirio will be given on Sunday, October 13 at 5:00 p.m. in the Borland Music Center choir room.

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