Submitted story | January 19, 2026

TOPEKA, KAN. — The Washburn University Music & Theatre Department will host Washburn Piano Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 14 for K-12 piano students.

“As students prepare for spring piano recitals and competitions, Washburn Piano Day gives K-12 piano students the opportunity to try out their repertoire in a semi-public performance setting and receive feedback from Washburn University piano faculty and music major judges,” said Dr. Lucy Tan, director of keyboard studies and applied piano and faculty adviser for the Washburn Piano and Organ Society.

Washburn will email performance schedules to participants a few days before the festival. Performances are in the Choral Room in the Garvey Fine Arts Center on the Washburn University campus. Participants will receive certificates of excellence, and students who earn exceptional honors will receive ribbons. The Washburn Piano and Organ Society will invite the highest-scoring performers to participate in a gala concert at 7:30 p.m. April 21 in Hurd Recital Hall on the Washburn University campus.

The Washburn Piano and Organ Society created the event to serve the northeast Kansas community. Registration fees support society student members who help organize Piano Day. Fees also help the society continue offering keyboard events for the community and provide Washburn music majors opportunities to engage as emerging music professionals.

Registration costs $10 per student. Learn more and register at https://www.washburn.edu/academics/college-schools/arts-sciences/music/camps-workshops.html. Registration closes Feb. 8. Students with financial need may request a fee waiver by emailing lucy.tan@washburn.edu.