EBONY AND IVORY. Beth Connors, the President of the North Reading Community Chorale sits beside the 6 foot Steinway piano newly installed at Aldersgate Church. (Courtesy Photo)
NORTH READING — The Aldersgate United Methodist Church along with the North Reading Community Chorale joyfully celebrated the inaugural concert given by the Chorale featuring the newly acquired 1981 Steinway 6–foot L–series grand piano, a project jointly fundraised by the church, the Chorale and the North Reading Senior Echoes. This team came together because of mutual interest in seeing the North Reading community retain a performance-quality piano accessible to the public in our town.
Along with generous individual donations and the use of church memorial funds, the groups sponsored a “Night in Nashville” dinner fundraiser and concert at the Hillview Country Club this past June. These efforts raised the majority of the funds necessary to take action when a national wholesaler of high-end pianos located the perfect instrument. A bridge loan from a private individual was able to supply the reminder of the needed funding so that the instrument could be put in place last August. The church musicians, the Chorale, the Echoes and a handful of other individuals and groups rehearsed on the instrument during the fall, which allowed the instrument to be conditioned and acclimated to its new home.
“It’s really refreshing to have such a wide range of colors, dynamics and characters. It’s a joy to play,” states Miles Goldberg, the accompanist of the Chorale, who holds a Doctorate in Piano Performance. The music minister of the church, Kayo Kamawu seconds this opinion and says, “There’s just something about a good instrument that brings out the best in a musician. This piano makes any musical idea sound like Mozart. In my opinion it’s one of the focal points of this musical church.”
Beth Connors, the president of the Chorale, comments “the timing of getting this new instrument is especially significant to us as the Chorale celebrates its 30th Anniversary season, and nearly 20 years rehearsing at Aldersgate.” Pastor Rachel Fisher notes, “It has been a wonderful experience to see the support of so many for the arts in North Reading and to know that the church can serve the community in this way.”
Come hear this beautiful community piano at the Aldersgate Church (235 Park St.) any Sunday morning at 10:30, at the Aldersgate Open Mic nights every third Friday of the month or at upcoming Chorale concerts. Likewise, if you would like to contribute to repay the generous bridge loan given to complete the funding of the instrument, your tax-deductible donation may be sent to: North Reading Community Chorale, P.O. Box 424, North Reading MA 01864.
