Grand piano makes a library debut April 12

By Patricia Bogumil

Editor

Long gone are the days when visiting a library meant tiptoeing around in a hushed silence enforced by crabby people.

Case in point is the Waterford Public Library, which plans to introduce its new concert grand piano during a free, informal musical presentation in the library’s adult reading area Friday, April 12, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

“I’m really excited about it!” said Pam Belden, the library’s director.

“This is something I’ve thought about for years, but we didn’t think we could ever do this – until we received this wonderful gift from the Carrington estate.”

The piano’s purchase is funded with an endowment made in 2011 by the estate of LaVerne Carrington, an area music educator.

Her bequest specifies that the money be deposited in gift funds for expenditures in the library’s general operating fund.

Besides funding the Kawai piano purchase, the Carrington estate is also paying for Amazon e-reader Kindles that will be available for checkout.

“Hopefully by May, but at least later in the summer,” predicted Belden.

In 2012, the Carrington funds were used to complete carpet replacement and computer upgrades, with money remaining for future capital expenditures.

The library’s “new” piano will arrive Monday, April 8, after a short trip across town from the studio of Eric Carlson, whose professional services include piano repair and tuning; used pianos for sale and rent; and concert recording.

He’ll be on hand April 8 to oversee the move and ensure the piano will be in fine tune for its initial performance April 12.

The piano is a 7-foot 4-inch, GS-70 Kawai semi concert grand piano, about 26 years old, which Carlson bought used 6 or 7 years ago from a dealer in Illinois.

Selling the Kawai is not something he planned to do when local pianist Ingrid Hanson-Popp visited his studio, searching for a used piano for one of her students, he said.

But when she spied the Kawai and played it, Hanson-Popp asked if Carlson would consider selling it.

A proposal for sale to the library was discussed, drawn up, discussed some more, voted on by the library board and accepted.

This Kawai piano has a very deep, round and rich tone, said Carlson. “Its tone is very clear and beautiful.”

The piano is viable for play in concerts and recitals and has been used by the Racine Symphony and Lake Geneva orchestras, as well as other venues, Carlson said.

The lid on the library piano will be kept locked when not in use, so that the piano’s professional quality is maintained, added Belden.

This is not a piano for the public to play at the library, she explained. Instead, it is a piano to be played at the library for the public.

On April 12, Hanson-Popp will be the first professional to try her hand, presenting Gershwin favorites and other light, classical selections as background ambience in an informal venue.

Connie Tilleros, the library board’s president, said there has been an increasing interest at the library for musical performance.

“We have a wealth of musicians in the local area with whom we are partnering to bring all styles of music to the public,” she said.

Carlson said he’s still adjusting to the idea of this particular piano leaving his studio.

“I love this piano,” he explained, “and I’ve played a lot of music on it. It’s just been a great piano.”

“But it’ll just be a mile away,” he added.

Fortunately, another used piano – a 7-foot 6-inch Yamaha – has already caught Carlson’s eye, as well as his ears, and has been purchased.

But it’ll take some time for the new Yamaha to earn the same standing as the Kawai. “I will miss it,” Carlson admitted.