Image 1: Steinway

Elyria Schools was fortunate that in 1965 - after saving money from music and drama productions and striking a deal with the athletic department to borrow the balance - it was able to purchase the piano from the Halle Brothers Department Store in downtown Cleveland. It cost just $6,200.75.

Restored in 2010 at a cost of $50,000

As Phil Gibson bent over the massive Steinway piano that dominated a corner of the choir room at Elyria High School, he rattled off bits and pieces of the storied past of the grand concert piano.

One notable story is that it almost caught fire and nearly fell from the stage at the old high school, he said as he tinkered with the 45-year-old instrument.

The district's treasured piano has been restored and took its rightful place center stage in the new high school's performing arts center just in time for the grand opening student performance Nov. 9 and 10, 2010.

A room just for this piano was built in the new performing arts center in the new high school.