The "Music For Everyone" Story

Logo on just about every piano
and on many piano benches.

It was an ordinary day.  Walking the streets of downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania, my home town, taking photos of pianos.  Not just any pianos, but the dozen or so that were placed throughout the city in the middle of May this year, as well as for the past seven years, that carry designs that were painted on them by local artists with funky themes.  The program was initiated by MFE (music for everyone) so that anyone in the community can sit at a piano and make music.  Programs is known as "Keys for the City" and is really a neat idea to promote music and community pride.  I must have walked a mile or so through the downtown streets taking my photos of the many pianos.  Some had keys that stuck or had keys missing, but on the whole, they were fairly well tuned, since I sat at each and played "Chop Sticks" on each.  At times I did draw a few stares, but also created a few "thumbs-up."  

Neat shirt for sale!

The pianos are mostly under cover and will remain in place until the end of September.  My only two disappoint- ments were:  that I could only play with my right hand, since I used to play accordian and only had to learn the right hand notes; and that I was the only one throughout my journey that played any of the pianos.  I did ask a young girl who was standing by one of the pianos if she played, and after I played she sat and began a concerto by Chopin.  Beautiful ... and I thanked her for playing for me as I continued on my journey.  I have included photos of every  piano that I believe are part of the "Keys for the City" program. Oh yeah, guest by now you probably realize that the City of Lancaster, PA is the Street Piano Capital of the World!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - Photos with piano sponsor and the location where they are found in the city follows ...

The Williams-Forrest Piano designed by the JP McCaskey High School Art Department and located at 111 N. Prince St.  

The Willow Valley Communities Piano designed by Chris Corrao and located at 42 N. Prince St.

The Lancaster New Sounds Piano designed by Dave& Ellen Mowrer located at Musser Park on E. Chestnut St.

The Atlee Hall Piano designed by Edward Hand Middle School and located at the Queen Street Wells Fargo Bank.

The MFE Community Piano designed by Rudewood Designs located in the 100 block of N. Queen Street.

The Lancaster County Community Foundation Piano designed by The Mix at Arbor Place and located at the Penn Square Gazebo.

The Patterson-Votilla Dentistry For Life Piano designed by E.R. Martin Elementary School/Tellus 360 and located at 24 E. King Street.

The Common Wheel Piano designed by Andy Metz and located at 100 S. Queen St 

The Boys & Girls Club Of Lancaster Piano designed by Boys & Girls Club/Jack Walker Clubhouse and located at the Lancaster Public Library at 125 N. Duke Street.

The Burrowes Elementary Celebrates MFE Piano designed by Burrowes Elementary School and located at the Lancaster YWCA at 110 N. Lime Street.

The Tabor/Church World Services Piano designed by Loryn Spangler-Jones and located at 308 E. King Street

The Let's Dance! Piano designed by Kenny Resig & Vanessa Nagel and located at the Red Rose Transit Authority Station at 225 N. Queen Street.  This was perhaps my favorite.  Notice the red dancing shoes on the top of the piano.