Nicole Narboni’s piano weighs more than 600 pounds and has more than 6,000 working parts.

It’s not the type of instrument a musician can throw into the backseat and take off to the next gig.

Yet that’s exactly what Narboni has done the past two weeks.

More or less.

Narboni, a senior lecturer at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Music, loaded up the Yamaha C7 grand piano from her studio and took it to Schuyler, Beatrice, Columbus, Petersburg and Albion to perform for students and community members.

She calls her tour “Piano in Tow,” and it’s her way of bringing classical music to rural Nebraskans.

“This concept has been done in other states, but never here in Nebraska,” she said. “One of the reasons I decided to pursue it is that classical music audiences are diminishing rapidly.

“My thinking is if I can enlighten and educate and spark interest in young people, then hopefully they will continue to support the arts as they get older.”

On her trip Tuesday to Petersburg, she found the students at Boone Central Middle School responsive and enthusiastic.

After the final performance, she invited the students to touch and play the sleek black piano.

“It was lots and lots of fun,” Narboni said. “I love working with young people. They ask questions. They answer the questions I ask. And they listen. This has been a positive experience for me, too.”

Narboni, 44, is in her 13th year at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She has played the piano since age 5 and has performed around the world. She recently released a new CD, “The Solo Works of Jean Francaix.”

She came up with the idea for “Piano in Tow” about a year ago while sitting in her parents’ living room, chatting with a friend.

“He asked me, ‘What are you going to do now?’” Narboni said.

When she said her plate was empty, he suggested Narboni tour her piano around Nebraska.

“That’s where the idea was born,” she said. “I had heard and read about other people doing it, so I knew it had been done successfully. I thought, ‘Why can’t I do it here?’”

Of course, it’s easier said than done. To secure the tour, Narboni needed funding. She found some through a $10,000 Leyman Fund grant through UNL and about $4,000 more from Yamaha Artists Services.

The Yamaha grant allowed her to hire Dietze Music to transport her piano from her third-floor studio in Westbrook Music Hall to schools and community centers around the state.

The next step for Narboni was settling on a program. She chose 20th century music by American composers — pieces that would appeal to young and old alike.

“I think it’s very important to promote American music,” she said. “I also wanted to keep it upbeat. I want everyone to know that classical music isn’t just stuffy. It’s serious music, but a lot of stuff out there is very entertaining and pleasurable to listen to.”

Her program includes music from Arthur Farwell, Daniel Bernard Roumain and David Guion, who is best known for his cowboy tunes, including a rendition of “Home on the Range.”

“He was the one to make it famous,” Narboni said.

Roumain’s piece “Jam!” received the most feedback. It’s very contemporary, blending hip-hop with classical music.

“Some of the kids just love it,” Narboni said. “It’s loud and very rhythmic and unique.”

Narboni will hit the road again next spring, with plans to traverse Western Nebraska. She can’t wait.

“One of the TV people asked me what I wanted to do when I was growing up,” she said. “I’m doing it now. I’m playing the piano, making music and sharing it with others.”

Reach Jeff Korbelik at 473-7213 or jkorbelik@journalstar.com.