It's formally done now. JF, Puffin and I just got back from Portland after spending a fun afternoon roaming the Old Port with Bernard, Lilylady and Beelady. We saw your parents (and everyone else) off last night. They were headed to the Rangely area for what sounds to be a great continuation of their adventures. All in all, turned out to be an absolutely perfect party. What a fantastic group!

Pictures to come.

Kathy and John,

Thank You for such a wonderful time. The food was great ... including Maine fresh lobster rolls and the company best of all...!!!

It's official, everyone has been practicing their brains out, everyone sounded great on the piano ... and ... Kathy's friend on the oboe and Kathy's daughter on the violin. Yes, trio with mom daughter and friend.

It was very nice to see everyone.

What a great party this turned out to be. I was a little worried about how many/few people would make the trek, although I knew that even a handful of you wonderful people would make a memorable and fun packed party. Well, suffice it to say, this party exceeded my expectations. There were a few last minutes sign-ups, like Ax and his family and Rusty Fingers and hers. The surprise of their arrivals made their arrivals all the more exciting.

Larry Buck (my hero) volunteered to prep the piano. He arrived at around 9 am and spent a good 3 hours. It's so much smoother now and the bass is crunchier - it's just great. I can't wait to sit and play for awhile to really take in the full effect. I can't thank him enough for his time and expertise.

The kids were all animated but well behaved. They added that zip to the party that only kids can do. They gave the pets a run for their money, but Polly the dog for one, did not tire of the attention.

Whenever I do photos at these parties, I always manage to miss snapping one of someone at the piano. This time it was John Citron, who played better than I've ever heard him, but also brought his cool gadget that plays the other parts of ensemble pieces so he can fill in the piano part. Hopefully someone else got a good shot of him playing.

As always, the music was continuous and wonderful. Thank you all for making this a smash success of a party.





The food was amazing. It was sort of like the fish and loaves story. I had heard of Terry's famous fruit tart, but it blew me away. It was a visual and gustatory work of art.By the time everyone arrived, the refrigerator was bursting. OMG, did we eat well, and JF, Puffin and I will continue to do so throughout the week. [insert piggy smiley].





Billy Jo to the left, Beelady and John Citron, with Rustyfingers daughter in front. Billy Jo is the local oboist I had mentioned. She did a piece with me - can't remember the name - a very showy, oboe solo, standard repertoire . She blew everyone away. We also did the Gabriel's Horn from the movie the Mission - the piece that she and I played at a wedding last month, when we first met. Then, as mentioned Puffin, she and I did an impromptu Taco Bell Canon.



Axtremus playing a rousing set of variations on a Chinese folk song



Bernard and Rusty Fingers

Choochyfingers (did I get that right?) wins the prize for the coolest shoes. Although, notice how Jeremy's shoes are glowing in every single picture in which you can see his feet.



Jeremy Gloo here wowing us with his old chestnuts. Look at those shoes!
Oh, yeah, if you noticed the glass on the piano, (gasp!) no, it wasn't someone's soda. Larry Buck plopped it on the piano for tips because Jeremy playing his old standards like a pro.



Larry Buck and Axtremus

Quirts girls are both so cute, personable and talented. What a pair!



Linda is doing an amazing job having just started piano lessons less than a year ago.





Lilylady at the piano with Terrytunes giving her tips



Quirt with one of his twins and Rusty's daughter. The pets provided ongoing non-musical entertainment.

LL, Bernard and Beelady spent the night. The following morning LL played her heart out and sounded brilliant.



Relaxing while listening to LL



Here we are at the Portland seafood place with lobsties in hand. They went off,blinking and vibrating when our food was ready to pick up. Puffin didn't think it was funny when I told her this is how real lobsters act right before they get thrown into the pot.



Our final goodbyes. What a great weekend

More pics and notes will be posted here from me, but in the meantime you might want to check over for some pics and notes starting to be posted on the Well Tempered Forum (part of the old coffee room group from this Piano Forum) about this fabulous piano party (THE MAINE EVENT)

http://well-temperedforum.groupee.net/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/9130004433/m/6010061175

Many of the members attending are very active here on several PW Forums!

LL

What a fantastic and memorable gathering at KathyK and Jack Frost's beautiful home!

My piano gathering adventure started with a delightful tour of downtown Portsmouth NH hosted by our informative tour guide, Lilylady; who grew up in this area.






Having our appetite sparked by the luring aromas of the local eateries, we stopped for a quick bite at a local bakery. After placing our order we were surprised to meet up with Beelady and Bernard whom we weren't expecting to meet until our arrival a couple hours further north into Maine!


(OK, so they looked the wrong way when I took the pic!)

Then it was over the Piscataqua River bridge and onward to the great state of Maine!

Kathy and JF already had the first course selection of food laid out upon our arrival.



A few additional pics from an afternoon of delightful entertainment:










The crowd became a bit rowdy when the lobsta sandwiches were placed on the table...

but there was plenty to go around!


I can't express enough my delight in meeting with the very special people who attend (and host) these gatherings and the joy they have added to my life with their bond of music and friendship.


Thank you so much, Kathy, JF and Puffin for your efforts and hospitality in making this a memorable gathering.

Lilylady at the piano with Terrytunes giving her tips[/b]


OMG.. Lilylady will get a good laugh at this caption!!

Bernard... It's always so much fun meeting up with you at these events! I'm so glad you were able to join us!



Uhmmm.... Uhmmmm...
Rustyfingers and Terrytunes planning/discussing a DUET[/b] for a future event!!

Oh, what a beautiful party!

Thanks kathyk and family for a wonderful time, and to all the accomplished musicians for the entertainment.

And these pix are terrific. I think my favorite is the one of TT and LL at the piano. Awesome.

Definitely worth a drive through hurricane Hanna!

Kathy and Jon,

I want to thank you again for the really great time on Saturday. I really enjoyed the delicious food, and your wonderful Seiler grand.

John

Impressions of the piano and musicians -

I was anxious to try out Kathy's Seiler grand since during my search Seiler was about the only brand that I didn't find to play. Nice. I was expecting it to be bright for some reason, and it wasn't so. Nice rich bass, and the melodies could be brought out ever so much. The action is different than mine but I can't explain why. I could feel some resistance but always want 'some' as when pianos are too easy to play, keys are as easily played cleanly. There was plenty of umph when needed yet it also played quietly. It must be a joy to play on a daily basis Kathy!

Kathy and an oboist started off and played so beautifully that it inspired the rest of us to have a go at it!

Rustyfingers was a surprise to see at the party and I was so glad that she shared her Rootbeer Rag with us. I giggled as she played it...it is that type of piece. Oh she'll say she made a few mistakes but it didn't matter - it was fast and furious and funny! I hope she keeps it up, as I am going to ask to hear it again and again! Number 20 here:
http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/topic/32/7029.html

Jerry Gloo is always such a joy to listen to. Smooth classic oldies, lots of improv. Think better/best nightclub music. Which is why it was so funny when LB put a tip jar on the piano!!! We burst out laughing!

Linda Gloo - well my goodness, to only have had lessons for about 7 months and she got up and shared a couple of pieces. I looked at her book and saw the pages covered with gold stars - no wonder!!!

John Citron sparkled playing some Mozart pieces. Now several times I have heard John play, many times Chopin pieces and I would have loved to hear them again, but nope, he surprised us with Mozart and then later with showing us his new toy - the play along with the orchestra CD. That is going to keep him busy for awhile.

Bernard's style can always be detected, even if you are in the other room. He has a touch and feeling when he plays like no other. It is like he caresses the piano. Beautiful, as always Bernard.

I always have to make Terrytunes get up and play. Shyly she would like to be the last one, when everyone else is a little bit tipsy and half have gone home. But no way girl...not with the progress that you have made! In the style of Jerry, she played As Time Goes By, which I love her arrangment of, and then some Liszt. Nicely done, TT!

Axtremus played, well, like Axtremus! We always know that we are in for a treat when he sits at the piano. From strict classical to improv. This time on unknown melodies (I think at least one was his), he is always someone to look forward to showing off his virtuosity. One other thing to note, whenever Ax gets up to play, the music rack goes down. I asked him about it once and his reply is that the player 'hears' the piano much better when there isn't a board in the way.

Kathy also played a couple of other wonderful pieces for us (she is an advanced player) and the following morning she introduced us to a Poulenc piece that she 'forgot' to play the day before. Hope she does it in Nov at Jeffrey's for all of you. Kathy also 'almost' forgot the 2 blueberry pies she made and now I see she forgot the bagels for breakfast. Kathy is getting older you know!

Puffin as you read above, surprised us with playing the violin! Lovely variations of Pachabel's Canon, along with the oboist and KK at the piano.

Then the 2 Quirtlets delighted us with their playing. Both played the piano, and then we were serenaded with Aura Lee and MaryAnne with a guitar accompanying (she is just starting). Talented 'lets' Quirt!

I played 2 pieces that I have been working on all summer. Schubert's Standchen (Serenade) and with all too much effort, Rach's Elegie which wasn't ready. The audience was mean. They wouldn't take any excuse...although I tried. The bench was too low, I couldn't read through my bifocals, somebody left me with sweaty keys, my knees were shaking etc.
Hopefully I redeemed myself later with Rach's Vocalise and Schumann's Arabeske.

One of these days we are going to get Quirt and Beelady playing. I know they both do. How 'bout next time, guys?

There was a time when I would have said you're nuts if you think I am getting together with other pianists and actually play something. (and didn't for the first few gatherings) but now I really look forward to them. I love that each and everyone shares their music with us, and I love getting exposed to music that I get inspired to learn. Great group of musicians we have on these forums!

I hope that I have some pics to share that have not been already seen above...

THE MAINE VICTORIAN HOME:







THE PIANO AWAITS:



THE HOSTESS PLAYS:



CHECK OUT THESE FANCY PIANO PARTY SHOES!:

RUSTYFINGERS anything but rusty!



THE TIP JAR!



TERRYTUNES TART!



BLUEBERRY PIE FOR BREAKFAST!



WINDOW SHOPPING IN OLD TOWN PORTLAND (on the waterfront)



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We missed you Frank B, but did you notice the Piano World Forum mugs on the breakfast table?

Sounds like you guys had awesome fun!

I envy you guys

Hi Kathyk:

I am a new poster here, but might have been interested.

I come from Rumford Maine. To namedrop, my parents used to take me to Brunswick Maine every week for my piano lessons with Mr. William Eves.

I now work with computers and live in Vermont, but am still a passionate amateur pianist (2007 Boston Amateur Piano Competition alumnus).

Anyway, sounds like a fun time was had by all.

Fantastic!! Really sorry I had to miss it.

We were hoping that you might show up Peyton!

Ed B, we were looking for you as well. ;-)

Mozart, hope that you will watch for some of the other parties coming up in New England. There is usually something during the winter and then another in May after the Mason Hamlin Tour.

Check out the past posts in this section about that tour and sign up as soon as Frank posts..it is always a sell out!

Then there may be a party or two in NYC and Long Island that some of us New Englanders travel down to (together)

There is also the Fredericks Museum Recitals (see under Terrytunes post - she usually has a blurb about that for their website)

Mozart, it sounds like you would have a great time at these parties and Peyton, I was sorry you weren't able to make it.

One other thing I wanted to mention is how people seem to have progressed. I'm not surely that their playing has necessarily improved as much as the performance anxiety has diminished. And everyone knows how bad nerves can completely muck up one's performance. I've noticed that a number of us have become much more relaxed when playing. Terrytunes, for example, blew me away this time with her Lizst Consolation. I've never heard her play more beautifully.

So, one more important reason to attend piano parties - facing off with those annoying performance jitters.

Lilylady I noticed you tilt your head back when reading the music at the piano. Do you wear progressive or bi-tri focal glasses.

I was doing the same thing until I bought piano glasses and they make playing much easier...

Hi Mark,

Awful things, those bifocals!!! New perscription is trifocals, which are worse and I can't wear them while playing as each 'space' is too small.

I have computer glasses (of the bifocal) but can't wear them as the distance from eye to music is not the same as from eye to someplace on the keyboard. The same if looking for middle C but not for the ends of the piano, which is more likely where I need to look! So I get dizzy when I use them.

At home the piano bench is higher and I can manage better but at the party the bench would not go up as high.

Thanks for the suggestion though - will keep trying something else. I would love for something else to work better than straining my neck!!!

During my annual eye check up I brought some sheet music. Gave the eye doctor the distances I view and for $100 I picked up a cheap pain of piano glasses.

I can't tell you how much it has helped...

Mark...

Found a computer at the motel here in Rockland and A441 and I just had the greatest time reading all your comments and looking at the pics. Thanks Kathy and Jonathan and Sophie for hosting the "best ever piano party". Of course now that I'm taking lessons , I enjoyed all the playing so much more. Thanks to all of you or I never would have started, even though I managed to use the middle pedal while I was playing. What a hoot!

We are having the best of times in Maine. Spent 2 days in Rangeley and now we are in Rockland for 4 nights. What a view from our 4th floor motel room of the harbor.

Still talking about the party and all the wonderful and amusing things that went on. Hope to find a way to post some of my pictures when we get back to the Cape.

Keep playing everyone.

Linda and Jerry

Hi, Kathy:

I just tried sending you a private message through PW but your mailbox is full! Sorry to be following up so late. Things have been so hectic the last month or so and last week my husband and I were away on vacation. I just opened your email! I only check my email once a week, if that.

Wow! Sounds like everyone had a great time at your get together, I'm sorry to have missed it, and your piano and house are beautiful! Lots of good music and good company!

What a nice thing it is to get together with friends!



Jeanne

You are way too kind! Most of it was due to you piano sounding wonderful; plus, it was very enjoyable to play.

I gave myself credit for making it all the way through the entire 3 pages of this piece!! Even though it didn't flow smoothly and I flubbed up the 2nd to the last line, I made it to the final note without wanting to cry!!

Jeanne, missed you and all the others who were unable to attend.

Linda & Jerry... thanks for checking in and letting us know you are enjoying your travels. Have a safe journey back over the CC bridge!

Thanks to Kathy and her family for hosting (and putting us up!). What a wonderful weekend.

Linda you played so well!!! I am so impressed that you are taking lessons! You go girl!

Jeanne, we missed you but as consolation, while we were on the highway I pointed out the exit to your place for Bernard! :p

Only thing missing was Frank!

I just finished cleaning the house. I came across the tip jar on the piano. Jerry, I owe you $3.38.

I know BL, I missed Frank too. But, I expect to see a lot of Florida parties popping up.

I live in Nova Scotia but attend SummerKeys when I can. If there's a party in Maine next year I'd love to tie it in with my trip to Lubec. When/where are dates posted for these parties.

Sandy, the party notices are generally in this room of Pianoworld - Forum Members Parties, Cruises, Meetings . . Just keep your eye out.