Donate now

Gifts in all amounts are gratefully accepted for this initiative.

Yes! I will sponsor a key

Dr. Elizabeth Grant

Dr. Elizabeth Grant has created a lasting legacy within the School of Music at Brandon University. Grant founded the Brandon Conservatory Chorale in 1981 as a project for her Master’s in Music Education, which she obtained from BU along with her Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance. The Chorale has flourished to well over 100 singers under Dr. Grant’s leadership as conductor and continues to affirm her legacy within the community. Dr. Grant has been honored with numerous awards for her extensive community involvement. Liz’s accolades include; the YWCA’s Woman of Distinction Award for the Arts, the Paul Harris Fellowship by the International Rotary Club, the Manitoba Choral Association Peace Garden Award, the Brandon University Alumni Excellence in Teaching Award, the Governor General’s Queen’s Jubilee Commemorative Medal and an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Brandon University.

Commemorative donor keyboard (click to enlarge)

A Signature Donation

This tribute has been made in gratitude to Deborah Grant and her family, for their immense generosity towards the students who will benefit for generations from this magnificent piano. The inspiration began with a remarkable gift from daughter Deborah Grant, husband Srdjan Tanjga and their sons Marko, Luka, and Nikola. The accompanying 88 note commemorative keyboard acknowledges the individuals honoring Dr. Grant’s legacy, and affirming the tremendous value of music education. The sponsorship of the accompanying 88 notes, also funds an endowment to provide proper care of this instrument for generations to come.

A Piano Named Liz

Brandon University chose an exceptional Steinway & Sons Model B Semi-Concert Grand Piano  to honor Dr. Grant. Made largely by hand, every Steinway comes to life with its own distinct musical personality. It only seemed fitting that Dr. Grant be able to choose the piano that would carry her name, in person. Dr. Grant, along with her daughter Deborah and husband Srdjan, and grandsons Marko and Luka, visited Steinway & Son’s historic factory in Long Island City, New York. After touring the factory, meeting the artisans, and playing a selection of wonderful instruments, Elizabeth personally chose this impressive piece as our new Choral Hall piano — the instrument now affectionately known as “Liz.”

About the piano

The Model B is described by the Steinway & Sons company as a wonderfully balanced and versatile instrument. It is nearly seven feet in length, weighs 760 pounds and has a total of more than 39,000 pounds of tension in the strings. Each one is handcrafted, takes nearly a year to complete and comes with a price tag of approximately $158,000. The piano is expected to provide exceptional service for students and musicians at the BU School of Music for more than a century.