Adirondack Family Activities: Elizabethtown's Piano By Nature

DUO BARRENECHEA - flute & piano
By Diane Chase

In its fifth season, Piano by Nature in Elizabethtown is one musical organization that strives to bring live music to the Adirondacks during the other months of the year. Artistic Director Rose Chancier started Piano By Nature with the concept of giving back to her community.
The summer season ends and brings a close to numerous outdoor entertainments. During the summer months, throughout the Adirondack Park, there is an abundance of outdoor concerts, musicians and entertainers. My family feels so fortunate to have such professional talent at our disposal. Come autumn, the leaves change and so do the musical entertainment opportunities.

Guests enjoy Piano By Nature at the historic Hand House
“I was a concert pianist when I married my husband,” say Chancier. “When I moved to the area I realized that people had to sometimes travel great distances to hear music during the winter months. I also didn’t want to compete with the existing organizations like Meadowmount School of Music. Things just came together.”

Piano By Nature holds bimonthly concerts in the historic Hand House parlor on River Street in Elizabethtown. The mission of Piano By Nature is to bring professional performances to the North Country highlighting lesser known 20th century works and unusual instrumental arrangements. With a focus on informing and educating area students, the performances always conclude with an informal question and answer session with the performing artist.

“I am excited for this upcoming season, “ says Chancier. “We have a group coming on September 8th and 9th from Brazil, Duo Barrenechea. The husband and wife duo play the flute and piano. They have been well received in the US and abroad. I had met the pianist while teaching at the University of Iowa.”

Chancier continues, “Our goal is to eventually cover all the instruments in our concerts. Every year I introduce ones we haven’t done yet. I want to make this not your classic concert. We want to make it as accessible as possible to everyone including children.  I make sure the pieces aren’t too heavy and dark. We do a lot of new music.”

Chancier wants people to focus on whether the music is good or not and not be hung up on the type of music it is. Through her own experiences she hopes people can come to the concerts and appreciate the music and artistry.

“Much of the music kids are listening to stems from classical music,” says Chancier.” At Piano By Nature we also try to give the concerts an international flair.

“We got our name because piano is the base instrument represented at each concert. We also hold the concerts right on the river in the Adirondacks, which keeps to the nature theme. We pay someone local to make desserts so people can meet and greet with the artists from all over the world. The artists have been fabulous to share their own experiences. It is a wonderful opportunity for kids to met professional musicians. I feel strongly about supporting that.”

The schedule to date includes Duo Barrendchea on September 8 at 7:00 pm and September 9 at 3:00 pm; Stremple-Beaudette Duo on October 20 at 7:00 pm and October 21 at 3:00 pm; Taylor Haskins on February 2 at 7:00 pm and February 3 at 3:00 pm; John Milbauer on March 30at 7:00 pnm, and March 31 at 3:00 pm; Ethan Uslan on June 1 at 7:00 pm and June 2 at 3:00 pm. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children and under. 

photos used with the permission of Piano By Nature

© Diane Chase, author of Adirondack Family Activities™ guidebook series, Adirondack Family Time™  available online or bookstores/museums/sporting good stores. Diane is currently working on the third guidebook in the four-book series of Adirondack Family Activities.

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