Recent Gifts
Esber Gift Will Improve Recital Hall
W. E. Esber, a resident of State College and owner of W. E. Esber Persian Rugs, has committed $190,000 toward the furnishings, maintenance, and renovation of the School of Music Recital Hall in Music Building I, making his total gift to the School of Music $370,000. In recognition of the donor's generosity, Penn State's Board of Trustees has agreed to rename the hall "The George Esber Music Recital Hall," memorializing Mr. Esber's brother.
A portion of the gift includes funds for the purchase of a new nine-foot Bùsendorfer concert grand piano. Mr. Esber has previously established an endowment for three music scholarships.
It was his long-standing appreciation for the School of Music's free concerts that inspired him to do more. "This wonderful music deserved a proper place with the proper equipment. When you're listening to music, you must be in the right setting," he says. "The room should be quiet and comfortable; the acoustics must be good. These fine Penn State musicians need the equipment to match their level of talent."