Everything we hear out of the Philadelphia Church of God is about the imminent return of their creature called "christ" and the end of this age. Yet, PCG spends money like they have a bottomless wallet...well, they actually do...gullible church members who will send in money for this kind of extravagance.
They are gloating about how much prestige that being an "all Steinway school" brings them, supposedly so impressive that the State Department will look at them differently now.
PCG went on a piano quest when the Worldwide Church of God was dissolving and the Ambassador Auditorium was shut down. Flurry then bought one of the Auditorium's Steinway grand pianos. They bought the piano around the same time they bought the two Baccarat Crystal candelabras that used to be in the Auditorium lobby. This was a significant coup for the PCG as anything thing could collect that Herbert Armstrong had touched added to the collection of idolatrous artifacts.
Since that time the PCG has been on a quest to replace all of its campus pianos with Steinway's.
OKLAHOMA—Piano manufacturer Steinway & Sons has recognized Herbert W. Armstrong College as one of its 221 “All-Steinway Schools.” The certification, which Armstrong received news of in May and official notification of on July 20, is given to schools whose pianos are made or designed exclusively by the German-American piano company. The college qualified earlier in May after purchasing a Steinway Model B for the Armstrong Auditorium rehearsal room.
With only 72 students, the college is one of the smallest schools to “demonstrate a full commitment to excellence by providing their students with the best instruments possible for the study of music,” as the All-Steinway program is described on Steinway.com.
The college began the process by purchasing a Steinway Model D from the company’s factory in Hamburg, Germany, in 2009. The sponsor of the college, the Philadelphia Church of God, had previously purchased a 1983 Steinway Model D from Ambassador College in 2004. Since then, the campus’s dozen or so practice or performance areas have transitioned from lower-quality instruments to Steinway-designed pianos, typically an upright from its Boston brand.
When the college finished constructing the Dwight Armstrong Performing Arts Conservatory in 2016 and purchased two grand pianos and an upright for its classrooms, the school’s quantity of Steinway-designed pianos rose high enough to qualify it for the recognition. Armstrong Recognized as ‘All-Steinway’ Institution
Here is the current cost range for Steinway pianos, including the Model D which PCG purchased.
“Having toured the Steinway facility in Hamburg, we understand what it means to have this peerless name associated with our institution,” music director Ryan Malone said. “We feel honored to receive such a distinction. Though we’re not a large school, or even a music school, this recognition highlights how we are committed to the highest quality education when it comes to the performing arts.”
The Church’s chief financial officer, Andrew Locher, gave an example of other effects of the recognition: “Being an all-Steinway School adds a respectable credential to Armstrong College in the eyes of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. While we meet the necessary standards to have international students granted a visa for study, each recognition like this helps the reputation of our college.”
The college plans to host a presentation ceremony with Steinway representatives in the months ahead.
While everyday members of the PCG struggle to survive, the elite at the cult compound spend lasciviously and cavort around the country for Irish Dance competitions and to England in their own private jet.
It pays to be a cult leader of Armstrongism!
9 comments:
“PCG Gloats About New $170,000 Steinway Piano”
Gerald Flurry can use that expensive piano as further proof that he is the one true false prophet.
You probably cannot even imagine how jealous this will make a covetous false prophet like Dave Pack.
Dave Pack's financial enablers will have a hard time competing against Gerald Flurry's financial enablers in the coming cult piano wars.
Hey... If Steinway pianos were good for Jesus and the Apostles in the first century church, then I see no reason why Flurry and his bunch should not have them today as well.
An honor that absolutely no Church of Christ can claim. :-)
But anyway: why not take advantage of this title and open the doors of HWAC to ALL prospective piano majors?
Other "Christian" colleges do it, and sometimes deemphasize the religious teaching to attract them.
One of the factors which has kept me from purchasing a vintage Gibson Les Paul guitar from the 1950s is that I realize that my playing is not of sufficient level that having such a guitar would really make a difference. Which begs the question: Is anyone associated with PCG able to play these Steinways on the level of Vladimir Horowitz? Liberace? or, even Elton John?
If not, this is just so much more pretentiousness on the part of the Flurrys. But, that is in keeping with what we have observed throughout the existence of PCG, isn't it?
@ 1:35 PM, I'm sure it's for the Ambassador Auditorium, so they can attract performers with the opportunity to play on a Steinway piano.
It’s Herbert W Armstrong Auditorium , not Ambassador. This is PCG’s mini-me auditorium
Silly me, 3:15! I thought the Gospel was supposed to be the main attraction, and the whole point of even having a church that you called "God's Church". But, if all you have is a bad or wrong gospel, I guess you'd need to worry about attracting pianists..
When they start bringing in Hohner harmonicas and Hammond B2 organs - then I will pay attention.
This is so sick that is doesn’t deserve a second thought!!
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