Yamaha Corp. of America and Piano Kraft of Little Rock AR have joined forces to provide musical assistance to schools and churches devastated by recent tornado activity in central Arkansas. While emergency workers continue to pick through debris left by the tornados, the two organizations are actively reaching out to churches and schools in the area with an offer to provide Clavinova digital pianos on loan for a year, at no cost and no obligation to the organizations. A total of 12 Clavinovas, valued at $36,000, are being shipped to facilities as far as 90 miles away from the Little Rock music store.
“The devastation to persons and property in our region is unbelievable, with churches, schools and many homes simply demolished,” said Richard Deutsch, Owner of Piano Kraft. “When there are losses like this, people go to church to pray, and music is a huge support mechanism, because it lifts their spirits and makes them feel better. If these people have been uprooted to a hotel room or school cafeteria, we want to put a piano in there for their use, to help with their morale and healing. The same holds true with our schools, in that we want to get their music programs up and running again, and help our children get back to a sense of normalcy.”
One of the first beneficiaries of the outreach is the Lifeline Church in Mayflower AR, which was left in rubble, and will now hold Sunday morning services at Mayflower High School. “We are so grateful for the kindness and support provided by Piano Kraft and Yamaha,” said Mayflower’s Senior Pastor Walt Hollis. “Music is vital to our church, and the use of a Clavinova will certainly help us with our mission to restore hope in our community.”
Deutsch is in the process of reaching out to church and school officials in the region to identify those who have lost musical instruments as a result of the tornado. He is also exploring other viable locations in the area that would welcome a Clavinova, for extended free use by private piano teachers and students whose homes were destroyed along with their pianos.