The "Faces Of Strangers: #54" Story

Preface:  I composed this story over a year ago, but never posted it to my blog.  Story about a young man whom I happened upon while taking a photograph in the city of Lancaster.  I give you this information since the "Keys for the City" program was discontinued last summer due to the COVID virus.  I found the story while doing some clean-up on my blog and thought you may enjoy reading it even though it is over a year old. 

It was an ordinary day.  Just finished taking a photo of the Pennsylvania Historical Museum Commision's street sign featuring Peter Simon for a story I plan to write on Mr. Simon.  I was returning to my car parked on nearby Water Street in downtown Lancaster, PA when I heard piano music.  Classical music!  

Musician in Lancaster who is part of the "Keys for the City" program.

Wow, just had to find our where it was coming from.  Reached the intersection of North Prince and West Orange and found the music was coming from a piano under the Prince Street parking garage.  Rounded the corner and there sat this young man playing his heart out on a bright yellow piano.  The city of Lancaster is known as the "Street Piano Capital of the World" because of all the pianos that line the streets of the city of Lancaster.  This year is the tenth year that Lancastrians have embraced and cared for these pianos in a way that has been inspiring to all residents of the county.  

Isaac plays on the "Music For Everyone" piano.

The program is known as "Keys for the City" and gives anyone a chance to sit in front of a piano and try to play it.  Needless to say this fellow in front of me today has much more talent than most.  I watched him for a short time and walked toward the piano as I listened to another choice from his repertoire.  I snapped a few photographs and stopped to talk.  Isaac is a student at the Lancaster Center for Classical Studies on Marietta Ave. in Lancaster.  He graduated from high school in nearby Harrisburg, PA and entered the school in Lancaster after high school.  Every Monday since school started he has been at the keyboard entertaining the population of Lancaster city.  His favorite musician is Jackson Brown, but he does love to play music of all genres.  

Isaac on the keyboard.

The sheet music he is using today is titled "Song of the Violet Flame which when I Googled it says it is contemplation music.  He asked if I like Bach and began a piece from Bach.  This talented young man makes you realize that his generation is more than just rap and hip hop.  He, to me, is a classical musician.  I could have stood and listened more, but I was late for my next appointment, so I thanked Issac for his music and departed.  The "Keys for the City" program was begun years ago just for people such as Issac and myself.  One to play and the other to enjoy.  We both were part of the program today.  Music is alive in the city of Lancaster.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.