MURFREESBORO, NC – As a result of recent renovations at Chowan University, the Music Department was able to gift Hertford County High School with a nine-foot grand piano according to Dr. Mary Hellmann, Chair of the Department of Music.

The current band director at Hertford County High School (HCHS) is Chowan alumnus Juan Winstead. He met Dr. Hellmann at Chowan and began to visit and assist with their Athletic Band in the spring of 2016.

Through their collaboration, in-house auditions are being offered at the high school for students aspiring to enroll at Chowan and participate in the music program. Providing this opportunity to high school students helps them feel more at ease during auditions and increases scheduling options for students to set up audition times with the University.

During these visits to HCHS, Dr. Hellmann became aware of the need for another piano in the high school’s music department. She expressed to Winstead her desire for the Department of Music to gift a grand piano to the high school’s music program and he contacted Principal James Futrell. They were able to make the transition possible before students returned in August.

Futrell says, “I am excited because of the opportunities it will provide to our students.” 

Winstead believes that the gift made by the University will help students with their music preparation for college readiness. He goes on to say, “Our students will have the opportunity for more resources and this will help them be more prepared musically. Thank you Chowan University for standing by your motto ‘Faith in Your Future’ and putting action behind your words."

The University hopes to expand this collaborative program in the future to other schools in the surrounding area. Hellmann adds, “When good things happen to Chowan University we want to give back to the community."

Principal Futrell invited Hellmann to return and perform on their new grand piano in the near future.