Festival Hall, Greensboro’s premier arts venue and cultural center, unveiled its new Steinway piano during a Piano and Art Celebration held on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.
Festival Hall’s Celebration and piano recital welcomed Hall supporters and donors, while paying special honor to Mrs. Isabel B. Jackson for gifting her beloved Steinway and Sons Model A 1895 grand piano to the venue. The Celebration also paid special honor to the visual artists who have decorated the walls of Festival Hall’s lobby for many years – a collective of artists recently organized as the Lake Country Artists.
Nicole Chillemi, Executive Director, welcomed guests to the Celebration while Board Chairman Blayne May and Board Vice Chairman Justin Cullifer provided attendees an overview of Festival Hall’s history, mission, and ways the community can get involved to support the Hall. Chillemi also presented a plaque of appreciation Mrs. Jackson’s daughter, Reverend Meg Jackson Clark. Rev. Clark “anointed” the piano with a musical piece she learned in childhood from her mother – a selection from Kinderszenen, Op. 15, “Scenes from Childhood,” by Robert Schumann (1810-1856).
Greensboro’s Carter Cadwallader returned to Festival Hall’s stage in collaboration with pianist Kathy Gage to perform a lovely duet, Andante, D. 968 by Franz Schubert (1797-1828). Local resident Dr. David Shuey performed pieces by one of Mrs. Jackson’s favorite composers, Johannes Brahms (1833-1897), Intermezzo in E Major, Op. 116 #4 and Intermezzo in A Major, Op. 118 # 2. Concluding the recital was famed Atlanta jazz pianist, Louis Heriveaux, who played an improvised medley of jazz favorites.
“This event brought together many of the ideas that were envisioned for (what was) the old high school gym. Celebrating having a grand piano donated, played by very talented local musicians, as well as a professional from Atlanta, all in the same evening was wonderful to witness,” attendee and local businessman, Dan Jones shared. “Community events like this add to the list of reasons we enjoy living in this small town.”
Attendees enjoyed mingling with the artists and enjoying appetizers catered by House of Jack before and after the recital. Festival Hall would like to thank all of the piano fund donors and artists who made this night such a special one. Festival Hall extends a special thank you to the Lake Country Artists, Carter Cadwallader, Kathy Gage, Dr. David Shuey, Louis Herriveaux, Reverend Meg Jackson and Mrs. Isabel Jackson.
Area residents interested in upcoming events and to support Festival Hall are encouraged to visit FestivalHallGA.com for more information or contact info@festivalhallga.com.