The Michigan State University College of Music will honor mothers and motherhood with a beautiful display of piano virtuosity in a specially-themed concert on campus this Mother’s Day. Piano Monster: For Mother’s Everywhere features four grand pianos on one stage and six artist-faculty from the College’s Keyboard Area.

This final event of MSU’s 2021-22 MSU Federal Credit Union Showcase Series takes place on Sunday, May 14th, at 3:00 p.m. in Fairchild Theatre. Featured pianists include Deborah Moriarty, Derek Polischuk, Zhihua Tang, Tamar Mikeladze, Genadi Zagor, and Eric Zuber. These virtuosos will share the stage and sometimes the same keyboard!

These artists’ collective talents on multiple pianos will envelop the theatre with a jubilant, family-friendly and thematic repertoire, including the Mother Goose Suite by Maurice Ravel, Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saëns, and Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring by J.S. Bach, and other select works. Audience members can also enjoy on-screen visuals woven throughout the concert that reflect the Mother’s Day theme. Voice faculty member and bass-baritone Marc Embree will narrate the program.

“We’re delighted to celebrate motherhood through this unique performance of heartwarming music,” said Professor of Piano and Chair of the MSU Keyboard Area Deborah Moriarty. “We invite everyone to join us in this joyous program in honor of mothers everywhere.”

This performance is generously sponsored by April Clobes and Glen Brough, and Andrea L. Wulf.

Reserved seating for this final concert in the MSUFCU Showcase Series is $22 for adults, $20 for seniors (age 60 and older), and $12 for students and those under 18 with valid ID, and can be purchased online (music.msu.edu), by calling (517) 353-5340, or at the door. More information on these and other events in the 2022-23 Encore! Season can be found at music.msu.edu/events.

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Press materials

View or download the press release (PDF). Contact Michael Sundermann, 517-353-2043, sunderm7@msu.edu 

Photography and graphic downloads

The Piano Monster concert of the MSU Federal Credit Union Showcase Series will feature six pianists on faculty at the MSU College of Music. Photo by Harley Seeley.

Piano Monster: For Mother's Everywhere celebrates Mother's Day with works composed by Maurice Ravel, Camille Saint-Saëns, and J.S. Bach. Graphic courtesy of the MSU College of Music.