The Brock University Department of Music will kick off its first season in its new home Monday with a performance paying tribute to a generous donation.

The Season Launch Performance and Donor Dedication event will take place inside the Cairns Recital Hall, making it the first public event at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in downtown St. Catharines

In addition to the inauguration of the acoustically-stunning Cairns Recital Hall, the performance will be the first to feature Brock’s new Steinway D piano, which was purchased through donations by Art and Val Fleming. The Flemings, one of Niagara’s most distinguished and well-known families, have been strong supporters of Brock University for more than 30 years. Though Art Fleming passed away in October, 2014, Val remains an active member of the Brock community. A 75-seat lecture hall at the recently-opened Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts is named in honour of the Fleming family’s generosity.

Department of Music Chair Karin Di Bella will be the first pianist to perform on Brock’s new Steinway Monday. She will be joined by Vera Alekseeva on violin and Gordon Cleland on cello. Tickets are $15 with proceeds going to music student scholarships.

Monday’s performance kicks off the first season for the Department of Music at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, which includes eight major performances and the RBC Foundation Music@Noon Series which starts Tuesday, Oct. 6.

What: Season Launch Performance and Donor Dedication
When: Monday, Oct. 5, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Cairns Recital Hall, FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre
Who: Music Chair Karin Di Bella, Vera Alekseeva, Gordon Cleland
Tickets: PAC Box Office, 905-688-0722; www.firstontariopac.ca