HOBART | A unique piano recital titled "Short Pieces" will be presented at 7:30 p.m. March 1 in the parish center of St. Bridget Parish at 107 Main St.

Justin Kolb who grew up in the Hessville section of Hammond and is a graduate of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bishop Noll Institute and DePaul University will perform. Kolb was recently recognized by DePaul as recipient of its prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award.

The event is a fundraiser to benefit the parish school's "Gifted and Talented" program. For additional information, call (219) 942-6441.

A Steinway grand piano has been obtained for the internationally acclaimed pianist's performance. Kolb's unusual programming has wide appeal with interesting and often humorous commentary.

Kolb has performed with the Gary Symphony, The Northwest Indiana Symphony, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. His performances at the Center for the Visual and Performing Arts in Munster were rewarded with standing ovations.

The friendly and popular pianist will spend the day following the performance presenting musical enrichment programs for the students of St. Bridget School.

Kolb has toured in Europe and the Middle East. He has also appeared as soloist at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., Lincoln Center and Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York City, and Chicago's Orchestra Hall.

He is a favorite performer at the International Liszt Festival, Canada's Great Romantics Festival, and he recently performed the Peter Schickele "Concerto for Piano and Chorus: The Twelve Months" in Chicago, Baltimore, and Woodstock, NY. Kolb is an Albany Records artist and has two CDs on that label.