If you are a piano player in western South Dakota you certainly must know about Elton John’s Red Piano being in residence at the Black Hills Piano Gallery in Rapid City.  How red is it?  It is so red that even the BENCH is red.  It looks like a great big tube of lipstick that melted into the shape of a grand piano.  Daw-ling….it’s mawh -ve-lous!

Readers of this blog know that we are having a Piano PALS Party this Sunday, February 22.  Be sure to let me know if you are coming - I’m still trying to figure out how many cookies to bake.  Right after that party, some of my students are coming in for a special recital and LOTS of pictures.  When we get done, the students of teacher Jodie Ketel will be playing. 

This Saturday, Feb 21, students of Diane Ketel will be at the keyboard in the morning.  During the afternoon hours Deanna Ziarko is hosting an Open House for students/parents/friends to play at the big, red beauty. We have all been taking advantage of the hospitality of owners Connie and Tony Thomas.  They built Tuscany Hall inside their store especially to provide a good concert atmosphere for local piano players.  I’m just trying to get the word out to my fellow piano teachers - YES, it is free!!!

The big concert is still to come on the last Saturday of this month - - -February 28 - - - when they roll the big, red, Yamaha Grand to the Elks’ Theatre in downtown Rapid City.  Local piano star, Brandon Sterling, will be rockin’ the keys along with his band in a tribute to Elton John.  Proceeds for the concert will benefit the American Red Cross.  It will be the kick-off for a special silent auction involving many local businesses and individuals.

If you have a special piano event planned, please drop me a line using the comment space on this blog.  OR, you can send me a note at marietesch@rap.midco.net.  I’d be happy to let others know about your event.

Thank you Rapid City Journal for providing this blog space for piano teachers, students and their families.

Thanks for stopping by.  mlt

 

Piano PALS, our duet piano group, will celebrate it’s first anniversary on February 22, 2009.  Members and guests will be part of the Elton John Red Piano extravaganza going on at the Black Hills Piano Gallery.

Several of my adult students have been polishing their skills at the keyboard so they can entertain that day.  We have a number of people baking goodies. Tony and Connie Thomas, owners of the piano store,  are providing coffee, the space to spread out our banquet AND a few more grand pianos for our playing.   (The punch recipe is still being discussed.)  We’ve got some fun and games planned as well.

Besides celebrating our first anniversary, we want to welcome new members and find out what kind of activities to include.  There is a core group that gets together once a month to practice for a couple of hours. Others prefer to pick up some music and practice privately first.  If you are a piano player - beginner, struggler, wishful or wonderful - please join us.

Prizes? Yes, we will have prizes.  Surprises? Of course.  Please bring a pal and join Piano PALS ……

Sunday, February 22, 2009

1:30 until 3:30 p.m.

Black Hills Piano Gallery (in Tuscany Square)

333 Omaha Street, Rapid City, SD

If you would like a ready-made invitation, I have a PDF ready to go with all the information.  Just drop me a line at this blog, or e-mail at marietesch@rap.midco.net

I’ll send you a copy that will be easy to forward to your pals.

Thanks for stopping by.  mlt

 

Looking for something different that won’t take a bite out of your pocketbook?  The Black Hills Area Music Teachers Association will present their usual winter treat this weekend: a Duet Extravaganza.

The Rushmore Mall Food Court is the place to be this Saturday, February 7.  About 40 piano students and their teachers, directed by Cora Fried, will begin practicing at 9 a.m.  Eight different groups will perform three numbers each on the instruments provided by Batchelder’s Piano and Organ.  The final performance is scheduled for 1 p.m.

The public is invited to the free concert.  If you plan on shopping at the Rushmore Mall this weekend, make sure you make a trip down to the food court for an entertaining break.

Piano PALS are planning a party for February 22.  Check here for details in the coming days.

Thanks for stopping by.  mlt