Piano donated in memory of former student, theater talent
By Dennis Kutac REPORTER

Aaron Dionne, a NHS senior, performs on the grand piano recently donated to the Performing Arts Center in memory of alumnus Steve Barton. MCC/Dennis Kutac

The recent donation of a grand piano to the Nederland High School Performing Arts Center will serve as reminder to future visitors of the many accomplishment of Steve Barton, a 1972 graduate who went on to enjoy a successful career in the musical theater world, including roles in "Cats" and "The Phantom of the Opera."

For Kim Williams, the center's manager, it will always remind her of a close friend, classmate and fellow thespian.

Williams said the story of how the piano came to the high school began in 1999 when the center was first opened.

"The community brainstormed to raise the money for a piano. One of the fundraisers was the selling of bricks for the courtyard outside of the PAC," Williams said.

"Someone can purchase a brick in remembrance of a friend or loved one, a senior class or other event."

Then in October, Williams said she received an e-mail from a woman, Maria Candil, asking about some bricks that had bought for the courtyard.

"She wanted to know if those bricks had been put in place yet and in the email she mentioned Steve Barton," Williams said.

"From the things she said I gathered that she was writing from another country."

Candil lives in Madrid, Spain, and was a close friend of Barton, Williams said.

Williams said Barton's name got her attention, because she had gone to high school with him and had been fellow thespians.

"Steve made a big impression on me in high school and in 1970 we were charter members of the International Thespian Society, Troupe 310 at Nederland High School," she said.

Barton grew up in Nederland and after graduation attended the University of Texas where he majored in theater and dance.

Williams said he appeared in several productions with the University of Texas and the Ballet of Austin

When he graduated from UT, he traveled to Europe to break into the musical theater world.

His leading roles included Munkustrap in the original Vienna cast of "Cats" and "The Phantom of the Opera" in London, where he originated the role of Raoul. In the winter of 1988 he moved up to the role of the Phantom.

"His most love role was the musical 'Tanz der Vampire' by Roman Polanski, which premiered in 1997. He played Count Von Krolock," she said.

Williams added that Barton didn't do any movie work, but did do some television work in the states appearing on "Another World" and the "Young and the Restless."

Barton died in 2001.

"As a student you just knew he would make in the theater world. He was a wonderful actor and truly a scholar.

"He was also voted most talented in the spring of 1972 at the high school," Williams said.

Williams said she and Candil became good pen pals over the following months.

During that time Candil told Williams she wanted to buy the piano for the center in memory of Barton.

"In January she e-mailed that she was coming to the United States to visit family. Renee' Kloes, Greg Rose our band director and myself met her at the airport in Houston and we went to Forsheys Pianos where she had already selected the piano she wanted to buy for us," Williams said.

The Steinway piano arrived in Nederland March 3.

Aaron Dionne, a senior at Nederland High School was one of the first to play it upon its arrival.

"I could spend a life time playing this piano. When I first saw it I was just amazed of the quality of it.

"It's not everyday you get to play on a quality instrument like this," he said.

Dionne, who has played piano since he was 5 years old, is a student of Gay Hanks in Nederland, plays keyboard for Ned and Company and is also a member of the high school's Jazz Band.

Renee' Kloes, a choir teacher at the high school, said the students are impressed with this donation.

"Our students are amazed that someone from Nederland could make such an impact in the theater world that another person who has never been here before would want to make a donation like this. It is truly amazing," she said.

Williams said the community is being invited to a dedication and concert in honor of Barton's musical theater contributions May 31 at 7:30 p.m.