Concert grand piano donated to Fine Arts Center

By Aimee Staten, managing editor
Published on Monday, May 16, 2005 11:05 AM MST

It started with a phone call and a secret meeting witnessed only by a dog and the people involved.

Soon, a large object at least nine feet long will be carefully placed into storage until it can be moved to its permanent home on the main stage of Safford's proposed Fine Arts Center.

Superintendent Dr. Mark Tregaskes could hardly contain his excitement as he told the Safford School Board and the audience gathered at Thursday's regular meeting about the anonymous donor of a two-year-old Yamaha Concert Grand piano.

"A lifetime's supply of chocolate chip cookies could not drag this information from me," he told the laughing crowd.

The donors, which Tregaskes calls "philanthropists," called Tregaskes, then met with him at his home to discuss the possibility of such a donation.

The piano, which retails new at $125,000, is sitting in Manhattan's Carnegie Hall, the home and host to many of the world's famous musicians and students. Tregaskes said when the shipping and handling are added together, the value will be closer to $160,000.

When the piano arrives, so will the pedigree of the piano. Tregaskes said the donors told him that the piano to be donated was one that was used to accompany the music in Tony Bennett's latest C.D.

"This is the first time we can actually recall that out of the blue someone would just call up and want to donate something of this value," Tregaskes said.

While the people who are donating the grand piano wanted to help a rural district that would probably never be able to afford such a valuable instrument, there were several stipulations added to the deal.

The Fine Arts Center must have an adequate opening to bring the piano in, and the piano should not be moved from the main stage area. The donors also asked that the district purchase another seven-foot grand piano to be used on another stage in the center.

Tregaskes said he believes the district can find another piano to those specifications for about $30,000. The district is going to bid for it.

Twice a year, the piano must be tuned, for which the donors have offered to pay.

Such largesse almost left Tregaskes speechless after he had finished talking at length about the matter.

"The only way this could happen in this community is through the generosity of people like these," he said.

Board member Julie Cluff said she was awestruck that such a thing could happen to a small, rural school district. "It really is build it and they will come," she said.

David Player, board member, musician and long-time former band instructor for the district, said the center could handle groups of such quality as the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra with the concert grand piano.

"One of the first questions groups like that ask is if you have a nine-foot grand piano," he said.

The board tried to draw the name of the donors out of Tregaskes in a good-natured way as they promised to never reveal the donors' identities if they were allowed to attend any future meetings.

Tregaskes shook his head and beamed.

Print this story Email this story Post A Comment

Comments

10 comment(s)

Ian Mccartney wrote on Sep 17, 2008 4:20 PM:

" I went to this camp in the summer of 05 when they were located in concho. I highly doubt that vallentine is telling the truth because when i went they was plenty of food. I remeber that they made us but on spf 50 sunscreen by the gallons. They provided us with gallons of water a day. I think that denton should have stayed in concho because it was a lot better. Big deal the recruits have no ac or water. what to expect bootcamp to be a vaction? And by the way the dirt isnt going to kill you "

H. Craig Bradley wrote on Apr 18, 2008 5:29 PM:

" The percentage of Americans who recreate in the wild outdoors of our National Forests is shrinking all the time. Today's America is predominately an urban/suburban America. Increasingly, individuals can not part with their IPods, Cell Phones, Laptop Computers and Navigational Aides (GPS). Roughing it outdoors is an experience that fewer and fewer individuals are getting "

Anonymous wrote on Apr 3, 2008 5:06 PM:

" Why not tell these people and organizations how you feel?

Vice Principal Kerry Wilson
Principal Robert Beeman
Superintendent Mark Tregaskes
Safford, Arizona Middle School

734 11Th Street
Safford, AZ 85546
Phone Number: (928) 348-7040

http://az.localschooldirectory.com/schools_info.php/school_id/3495 "

THS Alum 2004 wrote on Mar 20, 2008 4:21 PM:

" I graduated with these guys and it's sad to say that I'm really not that surprised. They're meat heads and are a "few fries short of a happy meal". The authorities did nothing wrong, these people made a dumb choice and will have to deal with the consequences.

P.S. Doug did it. "

blah wrote on Mar 6, 2008 8:29 AM:

" Whatever "

colton wrote on Jan 29, 2008 2:02 PM:

" i think doug grant is innocent an i think you should not charge him for murder "

saline wrote on Jan 29, 2008 2:01 PM:

" hello hello hello hello hello hello "

Michael Jackson wrote on Dec 11, 2007 3:02 PM:

" Why doesn't this newspaper admit that the story reported by Pam Crandall, as related by Jesse MacBeth, in the above article, is a flat out lie??? MacBeth has since admitted that he did not go to Iraq and that he made up all of the stories repeated by Pam Crandall. Please tell the truth. The longer that the Courier stands by these lies the sillier it looks. "

Jesu Christ! wrote on Oct 25, 2007 8:53 PM:

" And the authorities wonder why it is that students have so little respect for authority. If I were this kid (or the kid's mother) I would never look at authority the same way again. "

Daniel Connell wrote on Oct 23, 2007 9:35 AM:

" i am writting to say that this was a harmless prank and just a little fun for these two innocent teenagers. they should have not gotten in that much trouble for just a harmless prank. being a friend to them you wouldnt see it in my view. they were just looking to have fun in safford because there is nothing else to do and jose hernandez should have not been sent to ADJC on his first crime he ever commited. "

WRITE A COMMENT

READER COMMENTS
* Be respectful of others, the writer and the subjects in the story.

* Be relevant. Keep your comments pertinent to the story that is being discussed.

Comment posters are responsible for the opinions they express and the accuracy of the information they provide. We urge comment writers to treat this as a public forum where manners matter. We encourage a collegial, non-insulting tone. All reader comments must be approved by our staff before posting to the Web site. Be aware, in accordance with the Communications Decency Act and provisions upheld in judicial appeal, that you are responsible for comments posted on this Web site. The Eastern Arizona Courier is not liable for messages from third parties. IP addresses can be subpoenaed and your identity established by individuals who have been hurt by your comments.

DO NOT POST:
* Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.
* Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
* Personal attacks, insults or threats.
* The use of another person's real name to disguise your identity: You can be prosecuted for identity theft.
* Comments unrelated to the story.

Opinions, advice and all other information expressed in www.eacourier.com reader comments represent the individual's own views and not those of the Eastern Arizona Courier. The Courier does not endorse and is not responsible for statements, advice or opinions offered by anyone other than Eastern Arizona Courier spokespersons.

Thank you for your comments!