Two Festival Mozaic musicians helped christen Allan Hancock College’s newest addition to Boyd Concert Hall. Earlier this summer, the college purchased a new concert piano, valued at $175,000, with funds from the estate of late piano instructor Patricia “Patty” Boyd.
In late July, pianist Susan Grace played the Steinway D concert piano during a Festival Mozaic Midday Mini-Concert, which marked the piano’s debut at Boyd Concert Hall. Grace was accompanied by cellist Alexander Hersh during the performance, which featured selections from Debussy, Webern, and other composers, according to press materials.
The concert hall is located inside Hancock’s Fine Arts Complex (building F) and its new piano addition will be featured in upcoming musical productions. The instrument will also be available for students and teachers to use as part of some of Hancock’s music programs.
A prolific music teacher, Boyd passed away in 2012. According to previous Sun reporting, the late piano instructor prepared a will that gave the bulk of her assets to the Hancock Music Department before her passing.
“Thanks to funding left by Ms. Boyd, we are thrilled to bring this truly remarkable instrument to our campus, where it will be used by students and faculty for years to come,” Allan Hancock College Foundation Executive Director of College Advancement Jon Hooten said in press materials.
The Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) was also a recipient of Boyd’s generosity, as the nonprofit received a bequest of $1 million after her passing.
“Even prior to the amazing million-dollar donation, she was still the greatest donor that PCPA had,” PCPA Executive Director Mark Booher told the Sun in 2013. “Every year she was giving a very substantial personal gift to the theater. She really put her money where her values were.”