The Mural Project of Colorado Springs is donating 3 artist painted outdoor community pianos to Colorado Springs! The pianos will be available outside to play in the warmer months for all.
PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE UNVEILING CEREMONY OF THE PIANO NAMED “OLIVER” WITH COPPeR, SEEDS CAFE’, THE ARTISTS, THE FAMILIES WHO DONATED THE PIANOS, THE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND YOU, THE COMMUNITY WE LOVE!
The Story of Oliver, the piano at COPPeR, as told by Caren Clarke:
“I work at First Presbyterian Church, downtown. The church has pianos that I believe used to be in each classroom. When I heard that Colorado Springs was going to be getting pianos, I tagged my favorite one for Pretty Pianos and offered to assist with the design and painting of the pianos. I’m glad they are going to get some time with our community members”.
The Story of the Unnamed Piano at First and Main, as told by Bud, the husband of Pam Gressett:
“At age six, I was playing out tunes on a toy. My parents started me, at seven, on lessons with a young man who played for a church at the end of our street. I think it was just a month later I come home from school to find my very own, brand new piano, in our living room. It was amazing. It had its own light for sheet music and a de-humidifier for the humid Houston weather. By the time I was twelve, I was playing for church, and at age 16 I played jazz and swing music with a high school stage band. This piano went with me to college and taught piano to get me through college. It followed me to every apartment and house my family lived in. I practiced enough to play for a large Baptist Church in North Houston for a while and could also do quite well with any style of music from C&W to Classical. My children picked out tunes on it while they were still in training pants. I taught them both to read and play music. One of them now has his own music business. Sending this piano away was like losing a pet or a family member. I will miss it deeply. But knowing that it will go on to benefit art makes me feel good about this decision.
Yours Truly,
Bud Gressett”
The Story of Madge, the piano at Seeds Community Cafe’:
Barry Noreen bought it in 1989 from a guy in Arvada. Barry’s wife plays a little and they wanted to expose their daughter to piano. Apparently, she didn’t take to it much. Noreen’s had a cat named Wally who sometimes would jump on the bench, then step up to the keys on the lower end and jump up to the dining room. So sometimes in the middle of the night, the Noreen’s would hear a few notes on Madge, played by Wally….. Barry says a web site based on serial number showed that Madge would have been handmade in 1912. Madge is in beautiful condition, although there is an urban legend that there may be a broken key. Wonder what story lies with the broken key….go play madge for yourself and determine if the urban legend is true. Madge will be getting her new look in the coming weeks.
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