COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund To Benefit Music Students

Aiken, SC (11/02/2020) — The University of South Carolina Aiken Music Department received a general grant from the CSRA COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund.

It will be used to purchase a QRS UV keyboard sanitizer, which will help keep the university's piano keys clean for students, faculty and visiting pianists studying and performing in the Etherredge Center, whether in classrooms, practice rooms or the main stage.

"This is a much needed and timely gift," said Dr. Joel Scraper, chair of the UofSC Aiken Department of Visual and Performing Arts.

"We are doing all we can to ensure our students, faculty and staff are in the safest and healthiest learning environment possible."

According to manufacturers, the QRS UV keyboard sanitizer will get into spaces that traditional wipes will not. Additionally, it kills 99.9 percent of all virus, airborne bacteria and mold spores that may attach to keyboards. While it uses UV light to eradicate germs, the keyboard sanitizer is built so that no harmful light escapes.

"The university receiving a UV sanitizer for sterilizing the keyboards will be greatly beneficial," said Austin Bowers, a senior music major with a concentration in piano studies.

"Not only does it go beyond simply wiping the keys down with a cloth, but it will allow music students such as myself the ability to continue practicing, performing, and working with our brilliant faculty to become better musicians."

He adds that the sanitizer will "definitely" prove useful when it comes time for student recitals.

"We [will] know that the instruments have been properly cleaned before and afterward.

"In addition, it relates to the university's mission to keep the campus community safe by ensuring proper cleaning and sanitizing of all equipment that is used by many," Bowers said.

This is just one more example of the music department's commitment to excellence. Last year, the university became an All-Steinway School. In addition to a 9' concert grand piano, which was christened during an annual Winter Nocturne concert in 2018, UofSC Aiken received six Steinway pianos in early 2019, sealing the institution's All-Steinway School status. At that time, it was the only public institution in the state with the coveted designation. Now, students use two grand and four upright pianos, which will be safer for them, thanks to the Community Foundation's generous gift.

In addition to the keyboard sanitizer, the Community Foundation, underwrote the costs for 30 special masks which will be used by members of the UofSC Aiken chorus groups.

"Launched in March, the fund provides swift and needed resources to nonprofit organizations on the front lines of the pandemic serving the community's most vulnerable populations," the Community Foundation wrote in a press release.

To date, the fund has impacted the lives of more than 67,000 residents throughout the CSRA.

"As needs continue to evolve, the Community Foundation and United Way are assessing how we can best provide resources to our critical non-profit partners throughout the region. We are immensely grateful for the outpouring of support for the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to date. Support from our community continues to be needed to address ongoing challenges many are facing and help enable a long-term recovery," stated Shell Berry, President and CEO of the Community Foundation and Brittany Burnett, President and CEO of United Way of the CSRA.

All grants from the fund have been made possible by contributions from Augusta National Golf Club, Community Foundation for the CSRA, United Way of the CSRA, Chestnut Family Foundation, Bridgewater Fund, Bechtel Group Foundation, RBW Logistics, The Wilbur and Hilda Glenn Family Foundation, South State Bank, Kirby Family Foundation, The Zeist Foundation, Georgia Power Foundation, Graphic Packaging International, Truist Foundation, Betty and Davis Fitzgerald Foundation, Bank of America Foundation and scores of other companies and individuals in the community.

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