Hannibal Concert Association to present World War II musical program Saturday night

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal Concert Association’s second concert of its 2022-23 season is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5 with the Victory Vertical Project in the Roland Fine Arts Center’s Parker Theater on the campus of Hannibal-LaGrange University. HCA is offering $5 tickets for veterans with veteran ID cards. 

Garik Pedersen, concert pianist and Steinway artist, uses descriptive vignettes accompanied by piano music in many styles to bring to life a remarkable account of courage, solidarity and the power of music. During WWII, Henry Z. Steinway and Roman de Majewski developed a plan to build a small, lightweight inexpensive upright piano that could be packed in a crate and shipped to soldiers in the field, supplying them with music to improve morale and strengthen resolve.

These 40-inch, boxlike instruments, which contained no more than 33 pounds of restricted metals, came with sheet music, instructions and tools for tuning and repair, as well as handles for easy transport.  The enthusiastic response to the first shipment of 405 pianos resulted in more orders for ODGI (Olive Drab Government Issue) “field” pianos. When production ended in 1953, 2,436 “Victory Vertical” pianos had been shipped to troops on three continents.

Tickets are $25 for adults and $5 for students. Single, season and patron member tickets will be available at the door before the concert beginning at 6:30 p.m. or may be bought online at www.hannibalconcerts.com. HCA season and patron ticket holders also benefit from free/discounted admission to all performances of the Keokuk Concert Association and Quincy Civic Music Association.

For more information regarding the Hannibal Concert Association, contact HCA president Sara Anton North at 573-221-0822 or hannibalconcertassociation@gmail.com, follow the Hannibal Concert Association on Facebook or visit www.hannibalconcerts.com.