Bethany Dedicates Steinway Piano

Bethany Theological Seminary dedicated its Steinway B grand piano with a special recital on Sunday, September 21, 2025. The recital featured Norman Krieger, an internationally celebrated concert pianist who serves as Dean Charles H Webb Chair in Music, professor of music in piano, and chair of the Piano Department at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Mr. Krieger, who has appeared with major symphonies and in prestigious concert halls around the world, had also appeared as soloist with Richmond Symphony Orchestra (RSO) on September 20.

Bethany’s newly dedicated piano is a 2002 instrument, acquired from Chupp’s Piano Service in New Paris, Indiana. Steinway pianos are known for their remarkable quality, and they tend to improve with age. President Jeff Carter notes that Bethany is diligent about caring for its musical instruments, and that Steinways are often thought of as “forever pianos,” due to their longevity and durability.

President Carter provided a welcome at the recital, and honored Dr. Nancy Faus, professor emerita of worship in music, who provided a fund that was used to purchase the piano. Dr. Faus joined the Bethany faculty in 1976 and was the first ordained woman to serve on the Bethany faculty. Music was central to Dr. Faus’s professional career, and in addition to her teaching and scholarship, she led a choir at the Seminary. In 2020, Dr. Faus  was named a Fellow of the Hymn Society of the United States and Canada, that organization’s highest award. Dr. Faus, who lives in Phoenix, Arizona, provided a video recorded message of appreciation which was shared with the audience.

Members of the Bethany Board of Trustees, members of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra board and staff, and other invited guests were treated to a program of works by Beethoven, Gershwin, and Chopin. Mr. Krieger introduced the pieces, and expressed his appreciation for the quality of the piano, and that it had a home in Nicarry Chapel — a worship space that was built with acoustics in mind. 

“We are excited to bring this wonderful instrument to Bethany and we are so grateful to Nancy for her generosity,” notes President Jeff Carter. “This gift represents our ongoing commitment to including high quality music as part of the day-to-day life of the Seminary.”

The newly-acquired piano will be used for weekly chapel services, but the Seminary also plans to partner with the RSO to host chamber music events in Nicarry. Bethany has been a strong supporter of the RSO for many years and has just committed $50,000 to the symphony to sponsor guest soloists. 

“We are delighted to partner with the RSO and to support their tradition of excellence in our community.,” says President Carter.

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