Lifelong Ties Bind Grateful Alum To All-Steinway Benedictine College

As seen in the Winter 2016 edition of the Steinway Chronicle.

ATCHISON, KS – A unique student-teacher bond transcending nearly 40 years is now inspiring music students at Benedictine College, who are studying and performing on pianos by Steinway & Sons.

In the late 1970s, Kathie Weishar’s love of music grew through the encouragement of Sister Joachim Holthaus, her favorite music professor. She graduated cum laude in 1980, going on to earn a master’s in piano performance from the University of Missouri - Kansas City.

A grade school music teacher, church pianist and choir director, she cherished her life-long friendships forged at Benedictine, a Catholic liberal arts college located on the bluffs above the Missouri River. She and her husband, Rick Dalzell, a former military officer and e-commerce visionary behind Amazon’s revolutionary online shopping platform, expressed concern about the piano inventory after touring the music building.

Left: Rick and Kathie Dalzell display the All-Steinway plaque with President Stephen Minnis and Dr. Ruth Krusemark.  Right: Music students surround donors Rick and Kathie Dalzell and President Stephen Minnis at Benedictine College's All-Steinway celebration.

With a near $1 million gift from the Dalzells, Benedictine purchased more than 20 new instruments through Harry Reed at Schmitt Music in Kansas City, achieving status as an All-Steinway School.

“Steinway & Sons is the top piano manufacturer in the world,” said Benedictine President Stephen D. Minnis, adding the designation demonstrates the school's commitment to excellence in the arts.  “We are pleased to provide our students and faculty with the best equipment possible for the study of music.”

“The dream of every music department in the world is to become an All-Steinway School. We are thrilled to be among the few institutions that have this honor,” said Dr. Ruth Krusemark, Chair of the Music Department and the Mother Evangelista Kremmeter Professor of Benedictine Traditions and Values. “I am overwhelmed with gratitude to our donors who recognize the importance of giving back to Benedictine College and providing opportunities for our students.”

Kathie and Dr. Krusemark visited the selection room in New York and found the perfect Steinway Model D concert grand for the stage in O’Malley-McAllister Auditorium.  The sale also included five Model B’s, two Model A’s and a dozen Model 1098 uprights.