To commemorate a former Penn State professor, Bob Zimmerman -- who died in 2007 -- the State Theatre will host a tribute concert Sunday.
The State Theatre will host the Ebony and Ivory Tribute for the Bob Zimmerman Steinway Piano Fund at 4 p.m. The event is named in honor of Zimmerman, a former professor, adviser to The Lion 90.7 FM and one of the original founding board members of the State Theatre. Zimmerman died from an allergic reaction to his medication.
"It made sense to honor Bob because of his love for music," said Bob Negra, State Theatre's executive director. "It will be a great event in remembrance for a great guy."
Negra said he hopes to raise enough money to buy a 7-foot Steinway for $50,000. Every time the State Theatre rents a Steinway for a show (like the 9-foot one rented for Sunday's show), it costs between $700 to $900.
"Name a Key" is an ongoing donation program the State Theatre is hosting in hopes of purchasing a Steinway. To take part in the program, a minimum donation of $300 is required. Donors will have their name inscribed on a plaque and a piano key in their name for each $300 contribution. "Name a Key" donors will be invited to participate in the reception immediately following the Ebony and Ivory Tribute, Director of Development Carol Falke said.
As of Sept. 30, 28 people have donated money for the fund, Falke said.
There will be four performers: Richard Biever, David Curtin, Hyun Ju Curtin and Alexander Korte. From classical to show tunes, a wide range of music will be performed, Negra said.
"I know the typical college student is not really into classical music," David Curtin said. "But they don't get exposed to it so they may not realize what they are missing."
David Curtin and his wife Hyun Ju Curtin, both concert pianists, will be performing a duet.
"There is a large repertoire of music specifically composed for two pianists sitting at one piano, which we call 'four hands' music," David Curtin said.
Four of Zimmerman's grandchildren will take turns introducing the musicians for Sunday's performance.
