Frequent patrons of Sweet Briar College’s musical events may have begun to notice a richer, fuller sound in Memorial Chapel during the piano performances.

The effect owes to a new Schimmel Concert Grand K 280 Tradition, purchased in the fall with a generous gift from Robert and Nellie Gipson in honor of Robert’s mother, the late Madeliene Le Pine Gipson ’33. Although faculty, students and guest artists already have enjoyed playing the Schimmel, the gift will be officially dedicated at a faculty concert during Reunion Weekend in May.

This year would have been Madeliene Gipson’s 75th reunion, and her son – whose sisters also attended the College – wanted a way to memorialize the occasion. Gipson’s gift covered the entire cost to purchase and deliver the K 280, which is one of Schimmel’s line of top-class instruments for professionals.

Music chair Nick Ross and his colleague in the department Professor Rebecca McCord shared the enviable task of shopping for the new piano. Although they traveled to New York where they considered a Steinway, the pair found what they were looking for at Richmond Piano.

Ross and McCord, both accomplished pianists, tried about six instruments, but were most impressed with the Schimmel.

“[There are] a lot of technical innovations in this piano that makes it easier to play,” Ross said. “It’s more beautiful than any I’ve played on.”

McCord agreed, praising its “evenness from bass to treble with a lot of resonance in each register. The Schimmel offers the dynamic range and fine balance of tonal color needed for large-scale virtuoso works.”

The concert grand is a much needed acquisition for the music department, and its teaching benefits were immediately obvious to Ross. “The things I’ve been able to teach [students] about tone I couldn’t do before,” he said.

It also looks good. It measures 9 feet, 2 inches in length and gleams with a high-gloss ebony finish that beautifully reflects the sound board and strings when the lid is open.

Such an instrument will help attract both prospective students and top guest artists to perform at Sweet Briar, McCord pointed out, noting with gratitude the significance of the Gipsons’ gift to both the department and SBC. “It’s the prize now and everybody wants to play the prize,” she said.

Sweet Briar music faculty will ceremonially inaugurate the Schimmel during the Reunion Weekend recital at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 17 in the chapel. In addition to Ross and McCord, flutist Lynn Buck, violinist Jana Ross and baritone Jonathan Green will perform.

— By Jennifer McManamay, SBC staff writer

Sweet Briar's Schimmel Concert Grand K 280 Tradition was purchased with a generous gift from Robert and Nellie Gipson.