FIVE MINUTES OF FAME: Amateur pianists will have a chance to perform on the Steinway grand piano at Richardson Auditorium at the first Community Piano Jam on September 27. (Photo courtesy of Princeton University Concerts)
By Anne Levin
When Princeton University Concerts (PUC) put the word out inviting amateur pianists to take part in an all-day marathon on the stage of Richardson Auditorium, responses immediately began to appear. The Community Piano Jam on September 27 is open to pianists of all ages and skill levels who want to take their turn — maybe 5 or 10 minutes — at the Steinway grand piano on the historic auditorium’s stage.
By late last week, more than 150 people had entered the extravaganza, which is being held in celebration of PUC’s inaugural Pianists in Recital series. The lottery closed on Labor Day.
“The youngest is 6, and the oldest is in their late seventies,” said PUC Director Marna Seltzer, a few days before selections were made. “It already feels like we’ve got this incredible mix.”
The annual Chamber Jam has become a tradition at PUC, allowing amateur musicians to perform alongside professionals such as conductor Gustavo Dudamel, the Takacs String Quartet, Chanticleer Vocal Ensemble, and dancers from American Repertory Ballet, to name a few. But there had never been a piano jam. It was time.
“It’s the one instrument we haven’t done,” said Seltzer. “We’ve done every possible combination. We usually have over 100 people on the stage. But this is different. It has been a creative challenge for us. We had to answer the question: What does a piano jam look like?”
Seltzer and PUC Outreach Manager Dasha Koltunyuk are big fans of the British TV show The Piano, which invites gifted amateur pianists to play in train stations.
“This show was a wonderful template for us,” said Koltunyuk. “People can take turns on the beautiful Steinway grand, and take turns playing for each other. Using a bit of the Chamber Jam spirit, we also invited pianists who are connected to us — faculty members and others we have relationships with — to perform. So not only do you get your 5 or 10 minutes at the keyboard, but after you play you get to listen to them.”
As a pianist herself, Koltunyuk recognizes the appeal of the event. “I know well that it can be a lonely instrument,” she said. “So the opportunity to come together with other people is rare and special.”
As part of the application process, piano enthusiasts were asked to describe their relationship to the instrument. Koltunyuk shared some of her favorite responses.
“I like piano because it feels like an adventure,” wrote an 8-year-old. “I especially love fast, exciting music like Pirates of the Caribbean and Lava Chicken. When I play, I imagine the story happening in my head.”
“The piano is an altar where gifts are offered from composers and from me, the pianist, to all who listen,” wrote another person, presumably an adult.
“I took piano lessons as a kid all through high school and got good; very good in fact,” wrote another. “But not good enough for the conservatory adjudicator, apparently. So, I went to med school. After an early retirement from medicine and 49 years away from the keyboard, I’ve started back again, taking piano lessons from my son’s prior teacher. I’m still not good enough. But that’s okay now — I’ve changed; but Bach and Debussy haven’t.”
The annual Chamber Jams have been popular with PUC audience members.
“We’ve been doing them since the first season I got here,” said Seltzer. “I had a sense, as soon as I arrived, that many people in the audience played an instrument. And that makes a big impact on the way people listen. There are a lot of amateur musicians here.”
The first was a Late Night Chamber Jam involving the East Coast Chamber Ensemble. “I asked them if they’d allow amateurs to play alongside them,” said Seltzer. “It was incredibly generous of the musicians to do this at night, after they had performed their concert. But I could see it was feeding them, too. It has always been not about rehearsing or practicing. We’ve always said to people, ‘Come as you are.’ People just dig in with all of their energy and enthusiasm.”
The Community Piano Jam is from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Among the professional guest pianists at the event are Gregg Kallor, Clayton Stephenson, Margaret Kampmeier, and Francine Kay. Admission is free, and audience members are invited to drop in throughout the day.
“Part of the fun is people who just want to come and listen,” said Seltzer, “either for support or to just revel in the joy. It’s very informal, just sharing the fun of the piano. To witness that is very special.”
Visit concerts.princeton.edu for more information.