Editors Note: A previous version of this article was published crediting incorrect information to a a source. The article has been since been updated. The Talisman regrets this error.
The baby grand piano at the Mahurin Honors College and International Center lobby has drawn in student spectators and pianists alike. It has had the room filled with those who listen to its melodies and those who sit down and play.
Sophomore Jonathan Gil, a business management major from Apple Valley, California, said he can feel people’s stress in the HCIC and that he plays more peaceful songs on the piano in order to change the atmosphere in the room.
“I like coming here [HCIC] because I get to see friends, or see people walk by and see their smiles,” Gil said. “That’s one of the main reasons, [to] give that opportunity to people to hear the music.”
Gil said he plays eight instruments, sings and leads the worship team at Centro Cristiano de Oracion, his local church.
“The piano has really helped me in my faith,” Gil said. “It’s given me a purpose; it’s something that I love to do.”
In addition to his playing sessions at HCIC, Gil said he also posts to his YouTube channel. He said the content on his channel includes clips of himself playing the electric guitar, performing violin concertos and performing live as his church’s worship leader.
Senior Ciro Albamont, from Belleville, Tennessee, said he goes to the HCIC just to play the piano. He said that he originally wasn’t sure if he was allowed to play it. However, he eventually began playing despite his initial uncertainty.
“I would come in here, but I wouldn’t play it the very first time,” Albamont said. “I didn’t know the rules and then I was like, ‘No, screw it,’ one time; ‘I’m just gonna go play it,’ so I did.”
Albamont said playing this instrument definitely makes him happy and is something he enjoys doing.
“They have a piano in here,” Albamont said. “Here’s the piano, no one uses it; what’s the point of having a piano in here? That doesn’t make sense for it to be sitting there [if] no one plays.”
Albamont said that it’s convenient to come to HCIC when playing on Tuesdays and Thursdays and while living on the Hill as a student.
“I got my class at FAC, so then I come here because my next class is at the business college,” Albamont said. “So I would go get food, or come here and then go get food and go to my class.”
Freshman Joshua McCaw, from Nashville, said he met Albamont through their common passion for music. McCaw said that he saw the piano at HCIC and has been playing it ever since then.
“I’m a freshman, so I kind of just got here and was just exploring the campus,” McCaw said. “Then I stumbled upon here, and I just kind of saw a piano, so I just started playing it.”
McCaw said he has found it relaxing and emotionally uplifting to play the piano at HCIC.
“Being new here comes with a lot of stress, you know? It’s a new environment,” McCaw said. “Being able to come here and just play it really lifts my mood and allows me to just relax and calm down and just clear my mind on things.”