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Date: 11/12/2015
EAST LONGMEADOW – This year’s Many Hands Piano Recital is set for Nov. 18 and will feature East Longmeadow students performing a mix of genres such as classical, rock, and pop to raise money for the district’s music programs.
Andrea Mackin, one of the event’s coordinator, told Reminder Publications this is the recital’s ninth year, which will take place in the East Longmeadow High School (ELHS) auditorium at 7 p.m.
She added this year would feature at least 17 student pianists across grade levels who would each perform two songs.
“I think music’s an important part of everybody’s life,” she added. “I know there’s a big emphasis put on sports so I think it’s nice for the students to see other students preforming. It’s a nice venue for adults and anybody who enjoys music because the genre of music is so diverse.”
Mackin said performances would include classical pieces such as Rondo Alla Turca by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, contemporary songs by artists such as Adele, as well as themes to popular movies such as “James Bond” and “Harry Potter.”
“It’s a nice way to showcase the children’s talents because there’s not a lot of opportunities, unless you’re at a talent show at school or one recital at the end of the year, to come together as a community,” she noted.
She added the event might open up to performers from other communities such as Longmeadow if there is adequate time to accommodate them.
Last year, the event raised $200, which was used for pay for repairs to a Clavinova digital piano at ELHS, Mackin said.
“We don’t have a specific goal in mind, obviously we’d like to hit that again and even surpass that,” she added.
Mackin said Many Hands was founded by former ELHS student Julia Merton, who achieved the Girl Scouts’ gold award – the highest honor for the Girl Scouts – by coordinating the concert.
“Her goal was to raise money to help with the cost of renovations to the high school grand piano used in various performances as well as provide additional support for the East Longmeadow Music program,” Mackin explained. “We have continued on with this tradition by reaching out to all East Longmeadow piano students who are interested in participating. With the help of piano teacher, Abby Thomsen, the students ranging from elementary school to high school are putting together a beautiful performance with a variety of pieces across many genres.”
Sponsors for the event include Gio’s Pizzeria and La Cucina di Hampden House, both of Hampden, and Texas Roadhouse of Springfield she noted.
Youth under the age of 14 may attend the concert for free and the admission price is $5 per person, Mackin said. All proceeds will benefit the East Longmeadow Music Department.