Campus Center Community Piano

Anyone who walks through the USC Campus Center is bound to notice a beautiful little piano.

It originally came from a program called “Play Me, I’m Yours,”  a program which brings pianos to places that normally wouldn’t have them.  

USC recieved a piano in April, but the program was limited to three weeks.  Due to its popularity though, USC program directors decided to put a permanent piano in.

Donated by a USC employee and painted by a USC alumnus, the piano has been taken played by many students.

Andre Vleisides, a sophomore, said he comes to play the piano as often as he can.

“At least a couple times a week, sometimes even late in the night,” he said.

 “When you just wanna play and all the rooms are closed you just come here and play and people walk by and are like ‘man he’s playing the piano so late, it’s so cool!’”

Ronald Tutor Campus Center Educational Programmer Cindy Robinson is the leader of the project and also enjoys the piano.

“I think the entire concept is kind of unusual,” she said.  “I walk out and I get my lunch downstairs with the students and everyone else and you walk by and suddenly you hear just the most amazing music.”

Marc Payne graduated from USC in the spring, and is now employed by the University. He plays the piano everyday.

“I just play, you kind of get into the zone or a flow, and I don’t really pay too much attention to what everybody else is doing,” he explained.  

“So I’m sure people hear just in passing, so I’m sure that might make some people’s day better, and that’s what it’s all about right?”

Vleisides agreed with Payne’s mindset.

“There’s always an audience here but it’s not really just about the audience, it’s just about playing too,” he said.  “It’s nice to share with people, like when you have a gift, but it’s also nice to just play for yourself.”