Fayetteville State University’s Department of Performing and Fine Arts is striking a new chord in arts education with the launch of its 1st FSU Piano and Percussion Day, taking place Saturday, Jan. 24, in the Rosenthal Building on campus. Building on more than a decade of successful Piano Days, this inaugural collaboration brings together the piano and percussion studios for a full day of music-making, learning, and community engagement.
The idea to merge the two disciplines emerged after a milestone moment for the program.
“In 2024, we hosted the 10th edition of FSU Piano Day,” explained Dr. Amanda Virelles, Professor of Music and director of the program. “After that milestone, we decided to place the program on a one-year pause in order to give other schools in the area an opportunity to host a similar event.”
That pause led to Sandhills Community College hosting its first Piano Day in April 2025, an experience that inspired FSU to reimagine its own offering rather than compete with neighboring institutions.
“Since we didn’t want to conflict with their event, we decided to redesign our program at FSU to offer a fresh perspective by introducing a new element—combining the piano and percussion studios,” said Virelles. The pairing is both innovative and intuitive. “Combining piano and percussion felt like a natural choice, as the piano is, in part, a percussion instrument.”
This first-ever Piano and Percussion Day represents an important step forward for FSU’s music program. According to Virelles, it creates opportunities for students “to engage and collaborate with other disciplines, understand the mechanics and particularities of our instruments, engage in networking, watch the performance and collaboration initiatives of the FSU faculty, and expand their knowledge and repertoire.”
The event also builds on the legacy of previous FSU Piano Days. When the program began in 2014, participation was modest, but its long-term impact has been profound. “The students who attended that first event are now college graduates, and some have even returned with their own students,” Virelles noted. “As a professor, it is deeply encouraging to see that this program has taken root in the community and continues to grow.”
Attendees can expect a full, engaging schedule modeled after earlier Piano Days. The day will begin with a faculty performance, followed by piano and percussion master classes, a lunch break, an afternoon presentation, additional classes, and a student performance to close the event. Students participating in master classes will perform repertoire selected by their instructors, and all registered students will have the opportunity to perform in the student concert.
Faculty and clinicians include Dr. Amanda Virelles, Professor of Piano, FSU; Dr. Joseph Spearman, Assistant Professor of Percussion, FSU; Dr. Kristina Henckel, Associate Professor of Music at Sandhills Community College and lecturer at FSU; and Dr. Daniel McCloud, percussionist and Arts Coordinator for Cumberland County Schools.
“We begin with a faculty performance to give students the opportunity to hear the clinicians who will be teaching master classes later in the day,” Virelles explained. “This opening concert helps motivate the students and ‘break the ice.’”
Beyond performance, the event emphasizes professional development. Students gain experience in networking, collaboration, teaching strategies, and event organization while learning about the realities of careers in music performance and education. FSU students also play a key role behind the scenes, assisting with registration, guiding guests, and providing technical support.
For the wider community, Piano and Percussion Day is a chance to see the breadth of FSU’s arts offerings.
“So many times, I have heard the comment, ‘I didn’t know you had a music program at FSU,’” said Virelles. “We want to inform the community about the possibilities of a career in the arts and the quality of education our students receive.”
The event is free and open to the public, though advance registration is required. Whether seasoned performers or curious beginners, all are welcome. As Virelles put it, “Don’t be discouraged—come with open minds and ears and be ready to learn.”
FSU's Piano and Percussion Day will take place on Saturday, Jan. 24, at 1200 Murchison Rd. For registration and more information, visit: https://tinyurl.com/yjv462pe.