Auidence members take to the stage in Peace Auditorium to check out Brenau’s new Steinway piano after Ben Leaptrott’s faculty recital.

Tuesday, Feb. 5 Brenau music professor and pianist Ben Leaptrott gave the university’s new Steinway piano it’s inaugural performance during his faculty recital with the Leaptrott Trio and other guests. 

Brenau leased the piano to kick-start its ongoing fundraising effort to become an “All-Steinway School,” which Leaptrott says will provide the next generation of musicians coming through Brenau with the best tools available to hone their craft. 

Among the audience members was former Brenau Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Wayne Dempsey, who the piano is named for. Brenau President Ed Schrader said he could think of no more fitting an honor for Dempsey, who retired in 2012 for health reasons, for his service to Brenau. In his career Dempsey taught sciences and managed finances and business operations. But with his strong, clear polished singing voice and talent with orchestral instruments, he’s always been a front-and-center fixture around any kind of music at Brenau and his church. When the idea for the expensive All-Steinway program emerged, the money-conscious Dempsey was one of the first to embrace it.

After the attendees in Pearce rose to their feet for a standing ovation for a performance of Franz Schubert’s Quintent in A Major, D 667, which is also know as “The Trout,” they came to the stage to congratulate the musicians, take a look at the new piano and learn more about the “All-Steinway Initiative.”

Among them was Dempsey who presented Leaptrott with a big hug, a hand-shake and congratulated him on a wonderful performance.