Terry, they look great!

Terry,

Thanks for the nice looking name tags.

Everyone,

Has it been decided if we are going to bring something or how much to contribute.

Peggy

Great job Terry, thanks!

Peggy, I think you can bring the libation of your choice and we're going to chip in for the food, but I'm not sure how much the contributions should be. I guess we'll figure it out...

As far as practicing, I won't need to since I'll just be turning pages with one hand and sipping wine with the other

Thanks, everyone! It was fairly hot weather up this way today (finally) so I had the excuse to remove myself from doing yardwork and head inside to work on name tags.


Of course, you all must realize that these name tags come with one stipulation! And that is, a picture of the whole group exhibiting your spiffy looking tags!! :p

Have Fun!!

Would 7:00 or 7:30 be too late to arrive? I'm hoping to get there earlier, but late-breaking plans may make me tardy.

Also, what's the dress code?

Just don't come naked.
We'll probably be here til 10-ish.

I'm glad you told me! I always like to make a grand entrance. I'm sure I can find some clothes around here somewhere...

Terry[/b] - the name tags look great!!!! Thanks for the effort. Can we reimburse you for your time and materials?

markb[/b] - no matter how late you come, no matter what your attire (or lack thereof ? ? ? ), you still have to play. Remember, we had an agreement!

Sure, I remember that we agreed that you'll play, and I'll applaud enthusiastically. I intend to follow through on my end.

Now, Mark, I know it will be tempting, but if you applaud too enthusiastically, you might hurt your hands. Then you'd have to play injured . . . but play you will!!!!! And when you're finished, I'll buy you that drink we discussed.

Don't worry, I'll wear gloves to soften the impact. I also have those inflatable tubes you bang together for noisemakers, and I have the big foam #1 finger imprinted with "Linda in PA" that I'll wave wildly. And, of course, the obligatory cigarette lighter.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Linda in PA:
Terry[/b] - the name tags look great!!!! Thanks for the effort. Can we reimburse you for your time and materials?


Linda... 'twas a pleasure to put the tags together for all of you!

About a year ago, the company I work for was updating their badge system and discarding the older style badges; which is what I am using for the PW name tags.

I have offered several times to make name tags for other gatherings but never receive much of a response.

Only request I had was for a group photo with everyone wearing their name tag!

Cathy should receive them by tomorrow's mail. Hopefully she'll let me know.

To all in the DC area... Have a great time!!! PW parties are the best!

And don't forget to post pictures!!!(lots of 'em! )

Always happy to see people getting together for PW parties.

Have fun, play lots of music, and yes by all means ... we want pictures!

Best,

- Frank B.

Late-breaking news...I'm coming! I posted in the forum, but I forgot this one was here. I'll read back through this thread to get any additional info. But my Saturday plans were cancelled this afternoon, so I'll be there.

Terry --
The name tags have arrived!!!
They're great -- thank you so much!

All the best,
Cathy

I guess I'll show up as "anonymous".

Oops why didn't I see this until now. Oh well, too late for me to switch up my plans. Maybe next time.

Hey! Where are the pics and commentary?

Geez, kathy, you wanted a real-time, play-by-play account? We were still partying when you posted!

Anyway, I, for one, had a great time. Everyone was so friendly, and the food was delicious. I got to play on some fantastic pianos. Even better, I heard other attendees play beautifully on them. Very inspiring and humbling. (Wow, do *I* have a long way to go!) I accidentally spilled a whole cup of Sprite on one of the pianos, but I'm hoping Cathy doesn't find out.

Thanks again to Terrytunes for the neato nametags. And, of course, a big thank you to Cathy. Apart from online discussions, I didn't know anyone, but Cathy was a warm and gracious host and made me feel at home immediately. And I also feel deeply honored that among all of those wonderful pianos, Cathy has reserved a special one just for me. It's in a separate room, out of view from the public, so that it doesn't get damaged by other customers.

Plenty of pictures were taken--I just hope I'm not in any that get posted.

LOL Mark!

Yeah, I definitely had a great time. I'm glad I got the opportunity to go. Since the piano I bought is still there, I got a chance to play it some more, and had the pleasure of hearing I. Bruton play a piece on it. Sounded lovely!

And yes, definitely lots of pictures taken!

Hello everyone,

I had a fantastic time, I am glad I went. Thanks Cathy for hosting, what an awsome place. I saw the most magnificent piano, I think it was an AF in Walnut, it was on the row with klavierspielerin's piano, I couldn't keep my eyes off of it. It was definitely nice to put names to faces and talk to different folks about their musical experiences. Thanks for sharing.

Linda, Thanks for insisting that I play something for you it definitely was a morale booster.

Peggy

Hey klavier, if you get the piano home and it smells like lemon lime and the keys are sticky--I don't know anything about that.

hey mark... No one has mentioned who took all the pics from your gathering but I'm looking forward to updating the avatar image I have of you!!

LMAO! Fingerprints would be very easy to lift from a sticky mess like that.

I was joking all evening that was going to show up to the party and stand in front of my piano with a big stick to shoo people away.

Funny, I just checked in to look at PICTURES!!!

Geez, it's been 24 hours already!

Patience!!!!!! (patients????)

I'm working at the hospital all day/night/morning. I'll post pictures once I've had a long nap tomorrow afternoon, or maybe Tuesday, or maybe...

Definitely a fantastic piano party.


The Credits:[/b]

Many thanks to Cathy (along with "Mom") for being such a gracious hostess and for providing us with so many beautiful pianos on which to play (more about that, later). Also, thanks to those who helped Cath prep the pianos to perfection. Additional kudos to Ed (for instigating the event), to Carol (for dedication and expertise at the grill), to Terry for the great name tags (I saved mine for re-use at the Westchester, NY party on the 26th) and to my fellow party-goers. It was great to meet all of you!

The Pianos:[/b]

Of the five 9-ft. concert Bechsteins with which Cathy started, only 3 remain - but I doubt they will be there very long. While most of us were busy eating, a few of our very talented forum members played the Bechsteins - giving us a taste of the riches that these pianos are capable of producing.

After the truly gifted had a chance to play these pianos, markb and I took a turn. We quickly realized that a pianist needed to have some chops to be able to drive one of these babies. So, we asked the question: Do two "AB"ers = one competent pianist? The only way to find out was to perform a duet. We selected a piece from one of markb's books and quickly learned that Linda in PA needs to spend more time on hear sightreading skills. We had fun playing together, but I don't think we did justice to these black beauties.

Aside from the "big boys," Cathy has a number of fabulous smaller grands. Two, in particular, caught my attention. One is a Grotrian in a matte wood (walnut?) finish and the other (my personal favorite) is an August Förster 190 in polished flame mahogany. Even though I'm a polished ebony kind of gal, I'd be pleased to own either of these pianos. They are both well balanced, tonally, across the length of the keyboard and they are both easy to play (which this beginner appreciates!). Their actions are neither too "stiff" nor are they so light that you get that feeling of the keys getting away from you. They are simply very comfortable, personable pianos. The tone of the Förster appealed to my ear a bit more than the Grotrian (just an individual preference). It struk me as a very pure, but full-bodied sound. I think this is the piano to which Pegg made reference, above. Someone else described it as "a little bit of heaven." Well, if this is what heaven is like, I no longer fear death (not that I'm anxious to experience it!)

It was also a treat to hear I.Bruton and klavierspielerin (klav) play klav's new AF. It's a fine piano and I wish klav many happy years at the keyboard!

A Few Personal Notes:[/b]

Spin Doctor: I'd like to try those Copeland blues pieces that you performed - thanks for playing them for me. When you have a chance to share the mp3s, I'd be most grateful.

Pegg: I'm really glad that you didn't leave without playing. You did a nice job with the Scarlatti and I found it helpful to hear your interpretation of a piece that I, too, recently played. Thanks!

Clif and markb: All of the members of the ABF should be proud of you! You guys are playing your pieces with enthusiasm - and performing them as well as anyone could!!! Congrats to both of you - I hope you are pleased with the results of your efforts to date.

markb and I.Bruton: I enjoyed our discussion of jazz scales and modes. Thanks for the information. I think those of you who play jazz as well as classical have a big advantage in the theory department. Thanks to the two of you - and the blues inspiration from Spin Doctor - I think I'll do some extra-curricular exploration this summer.

Emanuel Ravelli: Was that a Brahms piece you played toward the end? All I can say is All of the pieces that you played were stunning. I appreciate all of the effort that you put into preparing the music that you shared with us. It was truly special. My humble thanks.

Jim Lobs: I overhead a snipet of conversation in which you mentioned Summer Keys. You left before I had the chance to engage you in a follow-up conversation about that program. Wanted to let you know that Bernard attended Summer Keys - a few times, I believe. If you haven't already done so, you might want to swap stories about your expeience with Bernard.

fmelliot: It was nice chatting with you and learning of your connection to PA. Please keep me posted if you should ever make your way back to the Philly area.

Cathy: You're the best! All of my good wishes for success and happiness. :3hearts:

Thanks, Everyone!!![/b] . . . Linda

I believe that I speak for everyone on the forum when I say...

WHERE THE HECK ARE THE PICTURES?

I think there's something in the rules about having to post photos in a timely manner. This is entirely unacceptable.

Don't have time to post a huge reply here. I just wanted to say I had a great time at the party and send special thanks out to some people...

KLAVIERSPIELERIN
===========================================
Thanks so much for playing the Satie Gymnopedia for me and that Sibelius piece (what was the name of it again?). Your piano rocks BTW!

LINDA IN PA
===============
If "Linda in PA" ever tells anynone she can't play again don't believe her! She is way too modest about her ability. If I could have 1/2 the technique she has in a year I'd be completely satisfied with myself.

Emanuel Ravelli
=================
I liked the Debussy piece you played and thought it was my favorite until you played the Brahm's piece (don't remember the name). Absolutely excellent playing, what can I say except you must be very proud of your pianistic accomplishments.

Spindoctor
===================
Playing like Bill Evan's Ghost, spindoctor keep the party hoping into the night. Markb and I were lucky enough to get a few tips from him about how to go about aquiring good jazz techinque.

Thanks again to Ed, Carol and of course Cathy for putting the whole show together. I was really glad I got to come and be inspired by all of you.


~pianocliff