Corvallis-OSU Piano International was formed in 2009 to build a culture of piano in Corvallis. The organization sponsors recitals and concerts and provides outreach and educational opportunities involving the piano. The initial purpose of the organization was to provide oversight for the Steinway Piano Series which had begun in 2006-2007 with a dedication concert for the new Steinway Model D concert grand piano in the LaSells Stewart Center at Oregon State University (OSU). The volunteer organization was approved as a 501(c)(3) organization and became a partner of the Oregon Cultural Trust in 2010. In 2011, Corvallis-OSU Piano International held the first Jazz in the Valley event. The organization’s first lecture/concert featured Paul Roberts in February 2012. A children's program was sponsored in conjunction with the public library in October 2012.
OSU President Emeritus John Byrne led the fund-raising for purchase of the new concert piano and an endowment fund for its maintenance as well as the establishment of the Steinway Piano Series. He was active as a board member of the Corvallis-OSU Piano International as it was established and assumed responsibility for the concert series. Corvallis-OSU Piano International is led by a Board of Directors; Rachelle McCabe serves as Artistic Director.
The Corvallis-OSU Piano International Records document the concert series and educational programs sponsored by the organization as well as the leadership and administration of the organization. The materials include concert series programs; promotional brochures, flyers, and posters; newspaper clippings; correspondence, meeting minutes, and treasurer's reports; and tickets. The records reflect the leadership of Steve Esbenson, Paula Krane, and Julie Searcy.
The records include large mounted posters for the 2010-2011, 2011-2012, and 2012-2013 Steinway Piano Series as well as the 2011 Jazz in the Valley concert. The 2011 Jazz in the Valley poster has been autographed by the performers Billy Childs and Steve Wilson. The 2011-2012 Steinway Piano Series poster includes the signatures of performers Mariangela Vacatello, Alexander Ghindin, Joyce Yang, and Paul Roberts. The 2012-2013 Steinway Piano Series poster has been signed by Jon Nakamatsu, Enon Barnatan, Jon Kimura Parker, Jacques Després, and Stuart Isacoff. Smaller posters for each series as well as individual concerts are also available in the collection.
Collection is open for research.
Corvallis-OSU Piano International Records (MSS COPI), Oregon State University Special Collections & Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.
The records were donated to the Special Collections & Archives Research Center in 2013 by Paula Krane, on behalf of the Board of Directors of Corvallis-OSU Piano International.
Additions to the collection are expected.
The Special Collections & Archives Research Center also holds the records of the Corvallis-Oregon State University Music Association (MSS CorvallisMusicAssoc). The