MARSHALL — It’s an instrument that will make a big difference for music students at Southwest Minnesota State University, Dr. Daniel Rieppel said. And on Monday, members of the public will get a chance to hear the new grand piano being played.

Rieppel, professor of music at SMSU, will play a special recital to dedicate the grand piano Monday evening at the SMSU Fine Arts Theatre. The performance will be free, with a free-will offering accepted to support keyboard studies at the university.

The new piano is the university’s first new grand piano in about 25 years, Rieppel said. The seven-foot Yamaha grand piano will offer keyboard students and other performers richer sound for recitals and concerts.

“It makes a world of difference,” Rieppel said. “It’s so much more complex.”

A university news release said the piano was purchased with the help of funding from the SMSU Foundation and support from donors.

The seven-foot Yamaha grand piano arrived at the university this summer, Rieppel said. Tuning and preparation for the dedicatory recital took place this week. Rieppel said he had a chance to practice a little on the new piano ahead of the recital.

“It sounds fantastic,” he said.

The recital, titled “Pairs and Doublings,” will feature music by composers like Bach, Brahms, Chopin, Scriabin and Rachmaninov.

“All these pieces have the aspect of two in them,” Rieppel said. The theme of pairs shows up in individual pieces of music, as well as in the contrasts between pieces. For part of the recital, Rieppel chose pieces of music from one composer that reflect different moods or styles.

“All the pieces have different shades of their composers,” he said.

Rieppel said he hoped audience members Monday evening would gain an understanding of the importance of piano study for university students and musicians. He also wanted to give recognition to community supporters, like Lois Henkel, for making the purchase of the new piano possible.

The dedication recital will be at 7:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Theatre at SMSU. Admission is free. A free-will offering will be accepted to support SMSU keyboard studies.