Submitted Photo Participating in the dedication of the piano practice studio were (left to right) School of Music Director Mel Unger, Christian Granger, President Virginia Horvath and Founding Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts Ralph Blasting.

A ceremony was held to dedicate a piano practice studio in honor of Christian “Chris” Granger, a 1966 graduate of the School of Music at the State University of New York at Fredonia.

Mr. Granger, a native of Endicott, was a percussion major and studied closely with faculty member Ted Frazeur, then head of the Percussion area. He went on to work in Internet technology at the University of Maryland, where he retired as Associate Vice Chancellor for Information Services.

Fredonia President Virginia Horvath, School of Music Director Mel Unger, Patricia Feraldi, director of the Fredonia Alumni Association; June Miller-Spann, director of Development; and Granger participated in the naming of the Christian Granger ’66 Piano Practice Studio.

A strong supporter of the School of Music, Granger has funded the Granger Percussion Graduate Award, Granger Percussion Educational Discretionary Fund, Class of 1966 Student of Promise challenge grant of $5,000, Frazeur Percussion Scholarship challenge grant of $5,000 and the Dr. Karolyn Stonefelt Distinguished Professor of Percussion scholarship, all through the Fredonia College Foundation.

Granger said the School of Music provided him with a strong basis for success, as well as the foundation to find and excel in a new career. “While I attribute my determination for success directly to Ted Frazeur, there were many others in the School of Music and other non-music departments that had a strong influence. I have seen that same dedication to student success with Ted’s successor, Dr. Kay Stonefelt,” Granger said.

Frazeur’s vision for a strong percussion program, as well as national attention for the School of Music, was brought to fruition by Dr. Stonefelt, Granger said. “So it is, with deep personal gratitude and significant expectations for the future that I happily support Fredonia and the School of Music.”

A member of the foundation’s Dallas K. Beal Legacy Society, Granger has supported additional funds and projects.

A thorough inventory analysis of the School of Music’s piano collection was presented to the School of Music by Steinway and Sons representative Peter Wager last spring. As a result of the findings, Ms. Miller-Spann has worked with music alumni and patrons to help to secure funding for piano practice rooms, which includes the formal naming and the purchase of a new Boston 126 upright piano.

Six other studios have received new pianos through a Fredonia College Foundation initiative. Several quality piano donations have also been made to the school.