True Blue Jazz donates grand piano to Cape High music program
The True Blue Jazz organization recently donated a Baldwin concert grand piano during a presentation at Cape Henlopen High School.
The piano will enhance music education and performance opportunities available to Cape High students for years to come.
The donation was made possible through True Blue Jazz’s ongoing commitment to supporting local music education, and fostering a love of jazz and the performing arts among young musicians. The piano will be used for concerts, rehearsals and classroom instruction across the school’s growing music and performing arts programs. This piano was originally a station piano in a retail music store, where musicians from all over the world would come to play it. The piano now atop the Cape High stage was played by musicians Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and Elton John, to name a few.
After the contract with the music store ended, the piano found its new home with composer Burt Bacharach, who composed the song, “What the World Needs Now is Love.”
“We are incredibly grateful to True Blue Jazz as well as Peggy Raley and Eddie Sherman for their generosity and continued support of our students,” said Marian Sunnergren, Cape Henlopen High School choral director. “This piano will provide our students with the opportunity to perform on a professional-level instrument, enriching their musical experience and inspiring them to continue pursuing their talents.”
The piano was presented to the school after this year’s True Blue Jazz Festival in Rehoboth Beach. Co-founded by Raley and Sherman, the festival celebrates America’s original art form, jazz, while giving back to the community through educational outreach and support for emerging artists.
"True Blue Jazz exists to perpetuate America's one true art form, jazz. That happens by engaging young musicians and giving them opportunities to learn and perform across the year,” said Raley. “There is no music in the future if we don't inspire the next generation to carry the torch. This piano came to True Blue Jazz as a gift from Scott and Susan Hello to help support the programs we provide to young musicians. Some great figures in jazz have played it since it's been in our possession, not to mention the superstars that played it before it came to Delaware. It means a lot to us to give it a permanent home with the kids. Maybe the next Burt Bacharach or Stevie Wonder is roaming the halls of CHHS, who knows? We're on the edge of our seats waiting to see the magic happen.”
The Cape Henlopen School District extends its heartfelt appreciation to the True Blue Jazz organization as well as Raley and Sherman for their commitment to arts education and for helping to ensure that music continues to play a vital role in the lives of Cape students.
