In Support of Performance

[jim-mcgehee]

As a new member and a piano dealer, I joined Piano Street to share ideas with those involved in supporting music performance.  I have founded a non-profit corporation in my home town of Little Rock, BECHSTEIN HALL, which intends to build a permanent home for chamber music in the near future.  We are sponsoring in-home concerts to raise money and awareness of what we want to achieve - the continued developing interest of chamber music.  This past Friday was our last concert of the season with 13 year old violinist Shannon Lee from Plano, TX and Debbie Austin, piano accompaniment.  We had a very enthusiastic audience of 160 in a private home.  Our next season has been planned and booked and our first concert  in September is on a houseboat.  Our board is soon to make an offer to purchase a building and  transform it into an acoustically refined space for music performance.  We have acquired the services of the acoustic consulting firm Scott Riedell & Assoc. who, together with our architect, has designed a state-of-the-art hall with seating capacity of 140.  The stage will just be large enough for a piano quartet and will have a new 7ft. 7in. C.Bechstein grand.  In this over amplified world there is an ever growing population of music lovers who have never been exposed to live music played in an electronically unaided  hall with good acoustics.   In our opinion,  there is an obvious need for small and intimate concert venues with good acoustics and a good piano.  We are looking for ideas and others with similar interests and look forward to imput form this forum.
Our website:    www.BECHSTEINHALL.com

[allthumbs]

Great idea! I think it would be wonderful to have a venue for amateur musicians, (if that's your idea), to play. We need more opportunities for live accoustic music performances.

I remember back in the 60's when I was in highschool, I participated in Friday night school concerts in the auditorium playing accoustic guitar and singing. You had to audition to play, but almost everyone who had a desire was allowed to perform. How else could one gain experience like that? We had a lighting and a sound man with a mixer as well. The audience payed a nominal ticket price which served to cover expenses. I always treasure those experiences.

Now that I am more interested in piano, I would love to have an opportunity to play in such a 'in home style' venue.

Good luck with your venture.


Cheers

allthumbs

[pianistimo]

i'm just a little curious about the houseboat.  it doesn't affect playing to rock a little?  i'm kind of interested in that type of playing, just for the fun of it. 

[gruffalo]

sounds great, i hope things go well. is your area generally low key for music performances? sorry, i just dont know a lot about some places in US.