Dear Friends,
Nearly a year ago, an anonymous donor gave our church $10,000 as seed money toward the purchase of a high quality piano for our sanctuary. Although there had been a good piano in that space for quite a few years, it did not belong to us, and there was no guarantee as to how long its owner might choose to keep it here. The Trustees were happy to accept the gift, and proceeded to appoint a seven person search committee to find a new piano.
The search took several months and involved considerable research, including studying well regarded books about pianos, and unearthing available knowledge online. Because we live in a rural area, we soon discovered that there is not a high volume of available new or used pianos in close proximity to us. This necessitated taking several field trips which covered quite a bit of geographical area. This led to the opportunity to play and hear a wide range of instruments of varying makes, models, sizes and quality. The result was a decision in early September to purchase a new Mason and Hamlin 5 foot, 4 inch grand piano.
Those of us who have been involved with this search are unanimously enthusiastic about this new addition to the life of our church. The Mason and Hamlin brand has a long history of producing pianos at the highest end of quality available, as even a brief hearing of this instrument will attest. This is a very, very good piano, and we are very, very fortunate to have it.
There will be a formal dedication of this new instrument during our worship service on Sunday, October 4. As a part of that dedication event, the piano will be featured in several ways: our longstanding music Director, Bronwyn Potter, will play the prelude on the piano for that service; Bronwyn Masse, will use it for the postlude; and Cara Hill will play a solo during the service itself. [We will be requesting quiet during the playing of all these pieces.] This is an important and joyful addition to the life of our church. I hope that as many of you as possible will come and join us on October 4 to celebrate this gift, and the many possibilities it gives us to increase our ministry through the art and beauty of music.
I want to express my deepest appreciation to those who have served with me with great ability and commitment on this piano search committee: Mike Coffey, Andy Dales, Janney Johnston, Bronwyn Masse, Karen Miller and Ed Stehle. The high quality of their work is evident in the high quality of the piano that now graces our church, as we can expect it will for decades to come. We are also deeply indebted to our initial major donor, and to quite a few others whose special interest in our music ministry, and their resulting financial contributions, have brought this new piano to us.
In Psalm 100 it says, ‘Make a joyful sound unto the Lord, all you lands. Serve the Lord with gladness and come before God’s presence with singing.’ We should all be lifting our thanks to God for this beautiful new gift. And our gratitude goes as well to the long list of people whose time, talent and treasure have made possible the new opportunities for doing God’s work in this church through the beauties of music and the arts.
See you on October 4th.
Your Pastor,
Tony Acheson
