Piano Monster: America 250!

The tension from four grand pianos — at least 18 tons pent up in each of the giant steel structures — compares to the weight of three dozen cars.

That’s how much tension and driving force the MSU College of Music brings to its capstone of the 2025-2026 season, featuring four grand pianos and eight of the school’s most talented pianists.

This year, it’s red, white and boo for Piano Monster: America 250!

The lineup includes sing-alongs and specially arranged selections of Scott Joplin’s “Original Rags,” music from “West Side Story” and Aaron Copland’s “Lincoln Portrait,” which will be fully narrated by Marc Embree. The concert concludes with classic patriotic sing-alongs, including “God Bless America,” “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” “You’re a Grand Old Flag” and more, with opportunities for audiences to join in the celebration.

Led by MSU musicians, the concert unites collaborative artistry with both precision and energy, featuring pianists Young Hyun Cho, Stanislav Khristenko, Elden Little, Tamar Mikeladze, Deborah Moriarty, Derek Polischuk, Zhihua Tang and Eric Zuber.