Jerry Steichen and Cathy Venable accompanied NOC Fine Arts Faculty member Brandon Haynes in a rendition of “All Good Gifts” from Godspell. (photo by Caroline Hillock/NOC).
Steichen, Venable wow audience at piano rededication
Northern Oklahoma College hosted a Steinway Rededication Concert Sunday night at the Dineo Heilmann Auditorium inside the Kinzer Performing Arts Center.
The concert rededicated a Steinway Piano purchased in 1996 that was recently restored at the direction of Former NOC Fine Arts Division Chair Dineo Heilmann.
Tonkawa native Maestro Gerald Steichen and Tulsa musician Cathy Venable performed 11 musical piano selections during the 90-minute concert They were assisted in one selection by NOC Fine Arts Faculty member Brandon Haynes.
NOC President Diana Morris thanked the audience for participating in the rededication of “this beautiful” instrument.
“How fortunate are we to have musicians of this caliber right here in this Dineo Heilmann Auditorium, ” Morris said referring to Steichen and Venable.
In reference to Heilmann, Morris said, “Dineo, we are so grateful for your continued dedication to the Fine Arts Division at Northern Oklahoma College. We are thankful for your willingness to direct us through this process of this restoration through your generous gift through the NOC Foundation that made this possible.”
Before the Steinway Rededication Concert, Heilmann gave a history of the Steinway explaining that the piano was purchased in 1996 for $55,000. He explained the piano was compromised due to humid conditions inside the KPAC. The piano cost $40,000 to repair and the process took four months.
He said a similar piano would cost $250,000 today.
Northern Oklahoma College, the state’s first public two-year community college, is a multi-campus, land-grant institution that provides high quality, accessible, and affordable educational opportunities and services.
NOC serves nearly 3,100 students through the home campus in Tonkawa, Enid, and NOC/OSU Gateway Program in Stillwater, and the University Center in Ponca City. Of these students about 80% receive financial aid and/or scholarships. 75% of NOC students complete their degree with zero debt.
The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers associate degrees in three general areas: Arts, Science and Applied Science; the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs; and the Accreditation Commission for Education and Nursing.
For more information about Northern Oklahoma College please call (580) 628-6208 or visit the NOC website at www.noc.edu.
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