The Family of William English ’20 Donates New Piano for Memorial Chapel

A recent piano donation to Missouri Military Academy will bring joy and enrichment to the lives of countless current and future cadets, teachers and staff alike. Moments after the piano’s installation within Memorial Chapel, the instrument’s first notes began ringing throughout the Chapel. The song was fittingly “Old MMA,” the Academy’s alma mater.

The Yamaha piano was given by Rob and Katherine English, parents of William English ’20, and Barbara English, William’s grandmother. The piano will be housed in Memorial Chapel for use during weekly Vesper services, assemblies and other programs. Learn more about Memorial Chapel.

In the photo below, William English '20 marches in the recessional from Memorial Chapel after MMA high school graduation on May 15, 2020.

An engraved plate on the piano displays the sentiments behind the gift: “This piano was donated to the MMA Memorial Chapel on 8/29/20 by the family of William English ’20 in honor of Peggy Reynard and Stephen Maziarz for their years of dedication to MMA cadets.” 

Maziarz and Reynard are current MMA instructors in the math and business departments, respectively, and Maziarz is also a private elective music teacher (piano) at the Academy. Both he and Reynard are accomplished pianists and frequent accompanists for MMA cadets during Vespers and other musical events. The English family also noted the impact that former MMA band instructor Freddie Lomas also had on then-Cadet English’s fine arts education.

“The piano is a beautiful instrument that will add to the musical and community life of Missouri Military Academy for many years to come,” said Maziarz.

Maziarz said that he is eager to reap the technical and musical benefits of playing the “excellent instrument that responds so sensitively.”

Interested in making a gift to support MMA? Please contact our Office of Development at 573-581-1776, ext. 222, or advancement@missourimilitaryacademy.org.