If you could once play “Ode to Joy” on the piano like your life depended on it, but your skills have fallen into disrepair since your parents let you quit weekly lessons, the Program for Performing Arts might have something for you.

They’re selling pianos that have only seen a year of use at a discount sale this Sunday. One clue that the instruments still might not be quite in your price range: the email didn’t include any actual numbers. If you’re still interested, though, here’s the info:

Dear Friends,

For the past academic year, Georgetown University has had the benefit of using new Yamaha pianos through an ongoing arrangement with Yamaha Corporation and their local representative, Piano Place, Inc. The university receives new pianos each academic year which then become available for purchase. This arrangement is an answer to our age-old problem of having old pianos in constant need of repair or replacement, but we need your assistance to perpetuate the program.

This weekend, all pianos used in this program at Georgetown will be offered to alumni, faculty, staff and students at reduced prices before being offered to the general public. These pianos have been professionally maintained and will carry a 10-year factory warranty. Used Steinways and other pianos of distinction will also be available. The selection includes grand, baby grand, upright and digital pianos. Sales, service, financing and delivery will be provided by The Piano Place, Inc.

A successful selling event will help Georgetown University and the Performing Arts Department continue to receive new pianos for our students’ use. This letter is to inform you of the opportunity to purchase one of these pianos at a fraction of the manufacturer’s retail price.

All pianos used in this program will be offered to alumni, faculty, staff and students at reduced prices before being sold to the general public.

You may select an instrument by calling the piano information line below and making a private appointment for Thursday, Friday or Saturday, June 5-8. This assures you the best selection and pricing in advance of the public sale.

Please call (202) 687-1583 to make an appointment for Thursday, Friday or Saturday.

Public Sale: Sunday, June 8; Noon to 5 p.m.

Thank you in advance for your participation and support.

Sincerely,

Anna H. Celenza, Ph.D
Thomas E. Caestecker Chair in Music

As to how you’ll fit your previously-loved piano in a dorm room, you’re on your own.

-Anna Bank, Editor-in-Chief. Heads-up from former editor-in-chief Mike Stewart.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 4th, 2008 at 3:38 pm and is filed under Arts and Entertainment, Campus News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.