(Santa Ana, CA)—The Santa Ana College Music Department now has a nine-foot Steinway grand piano, thanks to the success of the Friends of Music Steinway Campaign which was launched in April 2013. The vision was to purchase a Steinway, Model D concert grand piano for Santa Ana College in time for its centennial in 2015.
“With the hiring of Dr. Jungwon Jin as assistant professor of music at Santa Ana College in 2011, we saw an amazing opportunity to enhance the piano offerings in our music program,” said Dr. Brian Kehlenbach, chair of the college’s music department. “We are also thrilled to offer our advanced students, guest artists, faculty and staff the opportunity to play on this magnificent instrument that is the overwhelming choice for the world’s greatest pianists.”
Having studied at The Juilliard School and Manhattan School of Music, Jin holds master and doctoral degrees from the University of Southern California. A prize winner and finalist in many national and international competitions, Jin’s body of work has been highlighted on her many recordings, including, “In Search of Light: Works of Claude Debussy.”
Jin is excited that Santa Ana College music students will now gain important practical experience on a piano that is the standard of music programs across the country. She explains, "This will be incredibly helpful as they prepare to transfer to four-year music programs and work hard to pass their auditions."
Starting with a $10,000 donation from Wade Francis, president of Unicon Financial Services, Inc., over 50 people donated to the campaign and more than 400 music fans attended fundraising concerts. The campaign reached its goal with a $5,000 donation from Tod and Linda White through the Orange County Community Foundation. With a matching gift from the Santa Ana College Foundation, more than $70,000 was raised within a year. The Music Department has planned a gala concert for the spring of 2015 to showcase the instrument and will publicize details as they unfold.
For more information about the Santa Ana College music program, visit www.sac.edu/music or call (714) 564-5600.
About Santa Ana College
Santa Ana College (SAC), which will turn 100 years old in 2015, serves about 18,000 students each semester at its main campus in Santa Ana. The college prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions, provides invaluable workforce training, and customized training for business and industry. In addition, another 10,000 students are served through the college’s School of Continuing Education located at Centennial Education Center. Ranked as one of the nation’s top two-year colleges awarding associate degrees to Latino and Asian students, the college is also recognized throughout the state for its comprehensive workforce training programs for nurses, firefighters, law enforcement and other medical personnel. SAC is one of two comprehensive colleges under the auspices of the Rancho Santiago Community College District. Visit www.sac.edu to learn more.
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