Seeking recom. for church piano

[Clyde Hollinger]

Rolland:

Two things come to mind immediately.  

First, if the pianist is a senior, do you have any assurance that he
will stick around to be your pianist after graduation?  

Second, if yes, I think he should have some major input about the
purchase of the piano, although that will remove any element of
surprise, if you were hoping to do that.  If no, make sure the
congregation doesn't spend more money than they all think they should,
just to please the pianist, and a year later he walks away.  But I may
be barking up the wrong tree; I don't know enough of the specifics.

Clyde Hollinger

Rolland Miller wrote:
> 
> The United Methodist church of which I am a member, is considering the
> purchase of  new grand piano for our sanctuary and I have been asked
> to make some recommendations. We presently have a studio upright of
> moderate quality.
> 1) We have an excellent pianist who will be a senior next year at a
> well known/respected conservatory of music. Part of our reason to get
> a new piano (for the church) would be as a thank you to him.  He is
> also a church member and looked at as "one of our own". At the
> consevatory he plays mostly Steinways but that would be out of our
> range.
> 2) We have an excellent Music Director who has a lot to do with number
> 3)
> 3) Our congregation "loves it's music".
> The seating area of our sanctuary is about  40' by 54' and the altar
> area about 30' by 20'.  The seating area will hold about 200,  the
> side walls go up about 16' and the peakof  the ceiling is about 25'
> high.  The carpet is thick.  The interior walls are plaster w/wood
> trim.
> 
> I am personally partial to the Kawai and Yamaha brands.  I think they
> are good pianos - price/quality. We will be considering other piano
> makes also.   I would like any information listee's may have
> concerning 1) how to go about selecting a piano for a church. 2) what
> would be an appropriate size piano considering the church's specs. 3)
> any suggestions for a particular make or model, either to look at or
> stay away from. 4) any other information you think may be helpful to
> us.
> Replies can be made either to me or to the list.
> Thanks for any info. Rolland Miller, North Ridgeville, Ohio.  MPT,
> PTG/rpt
> rmiller1@mediaone.net