After 20 years and countless fingers “tickling the ivories” of its Steinway piano, the Department of Music has launched a fund raising initiative to purchase a new instrument.

“The present Steinway is still serviceable as a rehearsal instrument but has become a source of ongoing dissatisfaction for both resident performers and guest artists,” says Department Head Greg Fant.

A new Steinway represents an $88,000 investment for the department. Former keyboard students and other alumni, as well as friends of the Music Department, have been invited to sponsor a key of their choice for a gift of $1,000. But gifts of all amounts will help the department reach its goal.

Gifts for this fund can be sent to the NMSU Foundation Steinway Fund, P.O. Box 3590, Las Cruces, NM 88003. A special concert by keyboard professor Laura Spitzer is planned for January 24, 2005. All donors to the Steinway fund will be guests at this concert.