Date: March 9, 2005

For more information contact: Pat O’Brien (901) 333-4021/ Kimberly Stark (901) 333-4023, (901) 489-4771

HOT PIANO CONCERT – COOL PIANO AUCTION! A MAGIC NIGHT OF MUSIC AND MORE, MARCH 20
Written by: Pat O’Brien

Hot classics and rockin’ ensembles: Dr. Steve Katz of Southwest, and his piano scholarship students and ensemble players, have conjured up a magic mixture for anyone who loves good music, well played. Add a silent auction, starring a new Henry Miller console piano (valued at $4500), plus other practical and delightful wishables, and you’ve got an evening not to miss, March 20, at AMRO Music Auditorium, 2918 Poplar Avenue.

The silent auction begins at 6 p.m., the concert at 7 p.m. A gourmet buffet follows the concert and the auction ends exactly at 8:30 p.m. Between 6 and 8:30, you’ll enjoy impromptu spates of music by Southwest students of Dr. Katz, socializing with Friends of Southwest Music, a concert of surprising variety (including a rocking rendition of White Rabbit – think Jefferson Airplane), a delicious smorgasbord, and a very suspenseful auction.

The piano, a beautiful French provincial console, complete with bench, is the gift of AMRO Music – “The best friend of our music program,” according to Dr. Katz. “AMRO Music president Chip Averwater and vice-president Rick Jefferies are generous leaders of the Memphis musical community and true supporters of Southwest.” Dr. Katz, who is equally appreciated by AMRO – “He has the gift of making music understandable to students quickly and thoroughly” – holds doctorates in both English Education and Performance Piano.

The concert and auction are free and open to the public – though $5 donations will be happily accepted. No minimums are set for the auction items. Proceeds go to the Southwest Tennessee Foundation for the Steve Katz-AMRO Music Piano Excellence Scholarship fund.