Adirondack Family Activities: Elizabethtown's Piano By Nature
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| DUO BARRENECHEA - flute & piano |
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.
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| 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
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