Couple gives Steinway piano to school

Doug and Mollie LeFezre, who have been vacationing in Sisters since 1982, donated their second-hand Steinway piano to the Sisters High School choral program.

Mollie LeFezre is a retired music teacher; she taught public-school music for 25 years in both Huntington Beach and Roseburg, where they are from. They currently spend the winters in Arizona.

LeFezre grew up practicing on upright piano throughout her childhood. When she graduated from high school her parents bought her a second-hand Steinway piano from her music teacher.

"I just had to have it, and I would often play it for my kids when they were young, I was the only one in the family who plays," said LeFezre. "I'm 81 years old and just don't play like I used to, and didn't want this Steinway to just sit there and go to waste."

Mollie and her husband have a vacation rental in Black Butte Ranch, love coming to Sisters, and knew about the Sisters choral program.

"We called up (instructors) Rick Johnson and Julie Cash and asked if they would be interested, they came out and played it and loved it. The program over there is great, and Rick is such a good teacher so we knew it would be going to a good home," said LeFezre.

"It is by far the most generous gift the music department has ever received," said Johnson. "It is the most valuable and best-sounding piano in the school district. Steinway Pianos are known to be one of the most valuable and best brands in the world. Our new piano is a 1938 hand-built Steinway that was totally restored by a master piano technician before the LeFevres bought it. This is the best type of instrument to play - it has the broken-in, beautiful, aged sound, and it feels like a brand-new piano."