The University of Victoria’s School of Music will be able to keep 63 pianos ready for daily student use and put on more concerts and masterclasses thanks to a $300,000 estate gift.
The new $300,000 Martha Cooke Fund was named after the late Public Archives Canada curator.
UVic is Canada’s only school with all Steinway pianos and $200,000 from the fund will be used for piano maintenance, according to a release.
“These pianos are now 15 years old, so this gift comes to us at a critical time,” Arthur Rowe, a piano professor at the school, said in the release. “Maintaining our excellent instruments is crucial, so these funds will help ensure the longevity and excellence of our Steinways.”
The remaining $100,000 from the fund will go towards three years of annual concerts and masterclasses with world-renowned Korean-American pianist Minsoo Sohn.
The first performance is scheduled for Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m., and the first masterclass is on Oct. 4 at 10:30 a.m.
Both events will be held at the school’s Phillip T. Young Recital Hall.
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