CAN YOU BELIEVE that someone named “piano lady” would take a hammer to a grand piano?  Well,  I did!  Of course, it was an ice sculpture that LOOKED like a grand piano, and, it was for a good cause.  Cracking the piano let the folks know who won the diamond necklace at the Black Hill’s Symphony League’s auction Saturday, Nov. 7. 

The auction was the wrap-up for the League’s Sneak-a-Peek.  Just over 100 people toured the five homes decorated in holiday splendor and met for feasting and quaffing at Arrowhead Country Club.  The silent and live auction, along with the necklace fun raised $4,012.

THE COMMITTEE IS BUSTING IT’S collective buttons since last year’s sum total was $2, 350. 

That’s all for now.  We are still adding the numbers and figuring out our bills.  Thanks to everyone who made this such a success.  mlt

THIS GORGEOUS PENDANT will be part of the Sneak a Peek auction for our Black Hills Symphony League.

Rapid City artist/artisan Anita Paige created it especially for us this morning.

What you see  is a black onyx cabachon pendant wrapped with sterling silver wire.  Twisting wire is Anita’s specialty.  She brought over a selection of wonderful stones and glass wrapped in gold and silver wire, but I stuck to the classic black when she waved her hand over the tray and said, “Pick one!”

We discussed the idea of having “ladies of the league” wear the lovely set for our concert tonight.  Yes, the first concert of the Black Hills Symphony Orchestra is tonight (Saturday, Oct. 24) at 7:30 p.m.  Be sure to come early and see this pendant up close …..and the sterling silver earrings.  These photos just can’t do them justice.  You must see them for yourself.

STOP BY THE SYMPHONY LEAGUE table.  See this wonderful jewelry that will auctioned off on Nov.7 at our Sneak a Peek Auction.  Find out about the other great items we have collected.  You can get your tickets for the Homes for the Holidays Tour and the Sneak a Peek.

It’s going to be so much fun and all for a good cause - our Black Hills Orchestra and music education.

You can’t beat that.    See you at the concert! MLT

FROZEN ASSETS are something that the Black Hills Symphony League understands.  We are going to freeze a diamond necklace in an ice sculpture and raise money in the process.

Why would we freeze a diamond necklace?  Well, to get your attention of course.  Are you looking at the photograph attached?  Yes, it is a 14k gold pendant encircled with a quarter carat of diamonds.  The appraiser told me it is worth $450 -$500.

It is the 75th anniversary - the DIAMOND JUBILEE - of the Black Hills Symphony Orchestra.  The Symphony League will be hosting their “Homes for the Holiday” tours on Sunday, Nov. 8.

THIS NECKLACE and many other treasures (including more diamonds) are part of the SNEAK - a- PEEK event held on Saturday, Nov. 7. 

There will be details on this blog because your Piano Lady is the newly-named Auction Chairman for the SNEAK - a -PEEK.  Watch the Friday Rapid City Journal for our ad about the limousine/champagne/roses prize.  Oh, we are going to have such fun!

Thanks for stopping by.  mlt

AT LAST I CAN WRITE that Jacqueline Schwab is on her way to the Black Hills of South Dakota.  This has been a work in progress for me the past two years.  I am thrilled.

Most people think that she is a stranger until I explain they’ve been listening to her play the piano in all the Ken Burns’ documentaries.   In September 2007 when “The War” ran for a week on Public Broadcasting, I was haunted each night by a piano arrangement of  “Nimrod” from the music of Elgar. By the third night I walked to my computer, found a web link and asked her how she came up with this wonderful arrangement of a cello piece.

IMAGINE MY SURPRISE when Jacqueline herself wrote back to me the next day. We struck up a friendship with messages flying back and forth about pianos, teaching and old time tunes.  As a result, she will be here for the first three days in November.  Here’s the schedule:

If you have questions about her itinerary, call me at 342-3328.  I am lining up luncheons, dinners and Black Hills tours for my wonderful friend.  By the time I get done, Jacqueline Schwab will be a familiar name and face for music lovers in our area.  Help me show our New England friend a real “South Dakota Welcome”.

Thanks for stopping by.  mlt

A lively Stephen Swedish claps out the tempo for a student pianist.

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Concert pianist Stephen Swedish can switch gears on the fly;  he proved that yesterday (Saturday, Oct. 3) in a master class.  Local students played works by classical, romantic and impressionist composers and Swedish was ready to dive in and work through each one.

We were confident that he’d know his stuff.  What was impressive was his ability to make young players comfortable in such a short time.  Master classes are very scary for just about anyone but the master.  This fellow was having such a good time communicating with gesture, sounds and expressions that the student participants and the listening audience not only learned, they were entertained.

BUT don’t take my word for it.  I’ve put up two short clips today.  In Video One you will see an amazingly talented young lady (Sandy is only 14) as she works through  portions of  Beethoven’s Tempest Sonata (#17, Opus 31, D Minor) and Swedish encourages her.  In Video Two he demonstrates. 

Just listen and you will understand.   You will be so mad at yourself because you missed it…..BUT WAIT…you can see him in concert today.

I hope you can make it.

WHERE: Black Hills Piano Gallery, Tuscany Square, 333 Omaha, Rapid City

WHEN: 3 p.m. Sunday, October 4

Tickets on sale at the store.

I will see you there!  mlt

Is your dance card full? We are just on the brink of October, with a forecast for snow in the Black Hills and I am already running out of time for any “music just for fun”.

The Black Hills Area Music Teachers Association (BHAMTA) has three recitals planned for October.  On Monday, Oct 19, students will play  at Batchelder’s Plummer Piano and Organ.  On Tuesday, Oct. 20, students will play at Black Hills Piano Gallery.   That’s for the Southern Hills players.  Then, on Thursday, Oct. 22, the Northern Hills recitals will be held at Meier Recital Hall at BHSU, Spearfish.  For more information, please contact Rita Hicks at 722-7429.

Thanks for stopping by.  mlt

Margie Litzen, Anita Paige and mlt at the Connected exhibit...it comes down on Sunday, Oct. 4.

Tony Thomas explains the insides of the piano.

Have you ever wondered what it is like to be a piano and not be tuned? Or to be just sitting there and not be played?

It must be very lonely!  Find out more on the Anatomy of a Piano this Saturday, Sept 26 at 3 p.m.  Tony Thomas, owner of Black Hills Piano Gallery will discuss the different components of the piano and how to keep them healthy. Most importantly, what it takes to keep your piano very happy. The piano is a very complex instrument and one that most people know very little about.

Piano teachers -  this is a great program for your students.  It saves a lot of time because your students will stop asking about those pedals once they have seen this presentation.

Music lovers -  Steven Swedish will be presenting a concert in October and Jacqueline Schwab in November.  Details coming soon.

Although the temperatures still seem like summer, the fall music calendar is kicking in.  The Black Hills Chamber Society starts their concert season this Sunday, Sept. 13, with a piano duo performance at 7:30 p.m.

Dr. John Walker and his wife, Mary, will be playing at the First Congregational Church, 1200 Clark Street, in Rapid City.   Dr. Walker has been a Professor of Music and Director of Keyboard Studies at South Dakota State University for a number of years.  You may have read about his performance cycle of all 32 piano sonatas by Beethoven.   Mary has just joined the SDSU piano faculty, but maintains her private studio in Brookings as well.

I hope all the Piano Pals members can make it to this concert for a bit of inspiration. 

Speaking of Piano Pals, here’s a photo of my duo partner Anita Paige (far right) at the CONNECTED art exhibit last week.  Anita is showing some of her original jewelry work and her pals came up to take a look and have some fun.

This photo exemplifies what a great time we had.  The “connections” continued throughout the evening as more folks came to see the artwork and were surprised to find that they knew so many other people.   The exhibit continues at the Bay Leaf Cafe in Spearfish throughout the month of September.

Meanwhile, back at the piano studio, I have just completed my first week of teaching for the Autumn Session.  The choice spots are filling in quickly, so if you are looking for piano lessons after school, you’d better call soon.  342-3328.

Hope you are having a great season and getting ready to practice this year.

I welcome your comments and suggestions for future blogs.

Thanks for stopping by. mlt