The Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Department of Music recently celebrated those who have contributed to the success of the SWOSU Piano Campaign with a donor recognition event at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art (OKCMOA.)

The reception was hosted by the SWOSU Foundation, Inc. and generously underwritten by Foundation Board of Trustees Chairman Philip Busey, Jr. (’04) and his wife, Heather Busey (’07) of Oklahoma City. Campaign Co-Chairs Brad Berrong, (’75 & 2013 Distinguished Alumnus) and his wife, Jeanine Berrong (’76 & ’78), and Richard and Rose Ratcliffe, all of Weatherford, participated in the event.

Among the attendees were many generous donors to the campaign as well as institutional leaders including Regional University System of Oklahoma (RUSO) Regents Lake Carpenter and Susan Winchester and her husband, Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Jim Winchester; Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE) Chancellor Allison Garrett; and SWOSU President Dr. Diana Lovell and SWOSU Provost Dr. Joel Kendall. Several current and former members of the SWOSU Music faculty also made time to participate in the gathering.

Guests were treated to refreshments while listening to SWOSU students and faculty perform various pieces on a beautiful Steinway Piano furnished by OKCMOA; attendees also browsed the museum’s gallery exhibits.

Maestro Alexander Mickelthwate, Music Director & Principal Conductor of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, graciously carved time out of his busy schedule to make a special appearance and delivered remarks regarding the importance of quality pianos for students and the history of the Steinway brand.

The Campaign for SWOSU Piano began in 2022 to connect the SWOSU Music Department with philanthropic donors who would like to support the SWOSU Piano program. To date, the Campaign’s many generous donors have enabled over $325,000 to be invested in the SWOSU Piano program. The effort has provided SWOSU Piano students and faculty with 1 brand new custom Steinway Model “D” Ebony Performance Piano and 2 brand new Kawai Baby Grand Ebony Performance Pianos as well as substantial Piano storage and practice/performance facility improvements. As a next phase, the Campaign aims to work with donors to secure an additional $50,000 in support to enable the SWOSU Music Department to procure 5 new Kawai Upright Practice Pianos.

“We are exceedingly grateful to those who have contributed and helped us purchase new pianos,” said the Chair of the SWOSU Department, Shelley Martinson, PhD. “These instruments are used by all music students at SWOSU. Having high-quality pianos is incredibly important to our program.”

The Campaign for SWOSU Piano is facilitated by the SWOSU Foundation, Inc. To learn more or to make a charitable contribution to the Campaign for SWOSU Piano, visit www.SWOSUPiano.com or contact Erin Adams at erin.adams@swosu.edu, 580-774-3156.