Piano Man’s Piano Auction

Autographed by Joel, that is, and not Henry E. Steinway, the 1853 founder of Steinway & Sons. Though we’re sure ol’ Henry would have loved to sign his name on the piano if given the chance.

Proceeds from the auction, which is going on now at CharityBuzz.com, will benefit students at Manhattan’s Mount Carmel-Holy Rosary School, where the students spend three hours on Saturdays learning music, according to the New York Daily News.

The lessons are financed by Ten O’Clock Classics, a non-profit that helps pick up the tab for free lessons and instruments for Catholic-school children. Joel is board member of Ten O’Clock Classics.

Consider Joel’s donation an investment in music’s future. The classes paid for by the charity will help prepare students to audition for the Music Advancement Program at Juilliard School at Lincoln Center. Only about 40-50 of auditioning students make the MAP cut, with many of them paying only a portion of the $4,500 tuition.

“I feel good because I really want to continue violin in the future,” said 12-year-old Satouma Viallo. “Whenever I feel sad or lonely, I just pick up my violin and I feel better.”

Apparently, the kids could use a little help. While large donations were common only a couple of years ago, the current economic climate has reduced the size of donations. Proceeds from the auction will help fund training for MAP auditions.

“When people see that these children who are facing many challenges are so focused and positive and determined,” said 10 O’Clock Classics founder Ronen Segev, “it really strikes a chord with them.”

The auction runs through May 6. For more information, please click here for CharityBuzz.com.

Please click here to read the New York Daily News article.

Please click here for the 10 O’Clock Classics Web site.