On Saturday night we experienced something I've heard about since I was a kid, but never participated in - the MMTA "Ten Pianos" Honors Concert. Paul's brother Mark's boy Drew was one of the pianists playing in the concert this year. It was his second time - and he is only 13. This was the 73rd annual concert - and there were 20 (not ten) baby grand pianos on the stage at Northrup Auditorium on the U of M campus! There were 31 groups of 20 students who played. (That is over 600 kids!) Each group were from different levels from all over the state and had achieved high scores in competitions during the year. All the pieces were in duet format - the younger students shared a piano, and the older ones each got their own!
They all played simulaneously with a conductor to keep them together. It was really amazing! Drew's piece was called "Fancy Dancing" and he played the bass part of the duet. As one group was taking a bow in the front of the stage, the next twenty were coming on stage. It really didn't seem like we heard 31 different groups. Two out of the last three pieces, Jane and I have played for years. One was called "Jamaican Rhumba" and the other was a Bach piece that has a German title - you would recognize the tune if you heard it. It was really fun to hear 20 pianos playing those familiar tunes - and played excellently, too, I might add! I could have snuck on stage to join them, but didn't have my formal dress on. Oh well - maybe next year!
All the students got to take a rose from off the stage at the end. Here is Drew with Granpa Roger and Elaine. Eleven of us met at the 421 Kafe in Dinkeytown for supper before the concert - excellent Greek food - thanks, Mark!!! What a fun night to remember!
They all played simulaneously with a conductor to keep them together. It was really amazing! Drew's piece was called "Fancy Dancing" and he played the bass part of the duet. As one group was taking a bow in the front of the stage, the next twenty were coming on stage. It really didn't seem like we heard 31 different groups. Two out of the last three pieces, Jane and I have played for years. One was called "Jamaican Rhumba" and the other was a Bach piece that has a German title - you would recognize the tune if you heard it. It was really fun to hear 20 pianos playing those familiar tunes - and played excellently, too, I might add! I could have snuck on stage to join them, but didn't have my formal dress on. Oh well - maybe next year!
All the students got to take a rose from off the stage at the end. Here is Drew with Granpa Roger and Elaine. Eleven of us met at the 421 Kafe in Dinkeytown for supper before the concert - excellent Greek food - thanks, Mark!!! What a fun night to remember!
1 comment:
How cool is that! I vaguely remember playing for something in Northrup, but it wasn't the 10 piano deal. I bet Jamaican Rhumba was really neat!
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