ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Millard Neal will celebrate his 75 years of teaching with a piano and keyboard concert at 7 p.m. June 11 in Ohio University Eastern’s Shannon Hall theater at 45425 National Road in St. Clairsville.

Neal will present “A Tribute to Teaching” concert featuring himself and a group of his current and former students. This group is called the 3 B’s Keyboard Orchestra, and their name stands for Bach, Beethoven and Brahms. Neal said the 3 B’s Keyboard Orchestra is made up of one eighth grade student, a handful of high school students, one college student and several adults. Neal said that, like him, some of the adults in the orchestra work as music teachers.

According to Neal, the audience can look forward to the three numbers of Bach where three performers will be playing one piano.

“It’s kind of a fun thing to do because we get our arms all tangled up and someone ends up pushing someone else’s finger on the keys, but that puts a little levity in it,” he said.

Neal explained that the three numbers were originally performed by Bach, Bach’s son and Bach’s grandson.

Neal said he will also be the featured soloist for the first movement of the Beethoven concerto.

“I wanted to see if I could still do it. You don’t get much of a chance to play a piano concerto here in the valley. I made my own opportunity, so I thought I’ll get an orchestra and I’ll play the first movement,” he said.

Some of the musicians who will be featured at the concert include Linda West-Benyo, Adam Tarovisky, Miranda Volan, Paula Ring, Carson Kuhn and Matt McTeague.

Tickets can be purchased at soundknowledgemusic.com. Neal said the concert should last about 50 minutes.

Neal fondly remembers the past 75 years of teaching.

“I couldn’t begin to count the number of students I brought music to,” he said.

Neal said many of his former students followed in his footsteps and went on to become music teachers.

Neal has a music studio with Linda West-Benyo called Sound Knowledge Music Studio at 110 S. Marietta St. in St. Clairsville. He offers in-person piano, organ and accordion lessons. Neal said that the studio currently teaches approximately 80 students of all ages.

Neal grew up in Martins Ferry and has spent most of his life in the Ohio Valley. He left the valley when he joined the U.S. Army but knew he wanted to come back after his service.

“I thought I’ll come back home and give Martins Ferry what it gave me — the ability to get this far in my life,” he said.

Neal earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in piano performance from the College-Conservatory of Music of Cincinnati. He also earned a master of music theory degree from Ohio State University. Neal has worked as a band director at the former Flushing High School and as a choir director in Barnesville schools. He was on the faculty of West Liberty State College (now University) and the College-Conservatory of Music of Cincinnati.

He has also held numerous positions as an organist and choir director in area churches and is currently the minister of music at the First Presbyterian Church in St. Clairsville. Neal is also a member of the Shadyside Community Band. He has performed at many local venues including the Capitol Theatre.

For more information about “A Tribute to Teaching” or about Neal, go to soundknowledgemusic.com or call 740-359-1041.