The "It's Piano Season In Lancaster, PA." Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading my morning paper and realized that... "It's That Time Again." The pianos are back in the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  Music for Everyone's "Keys for the City" returned yesterday marking the 15th year the Lancaster nonprofit has put pianos in public locations throughout the city.  This year's edition brings 19 pianos to places in downtown Lancaster as well as Park City Center and Kitchen Kettle Village in Leacock Township.  Each piano is sponsored by a local business or organization and designed by a local artist.  They are available for anyone to play, regardless of age or skill level.  The pianos will stay out until September.  I never was a piano player, but I did play the accordion for a few years when I was much younger. I still can recognize the right hand parts of musical pieces and can play them on the piano, but can't do much with my left hand.  Over the years, the way the Lancaster community has embraced and cared for the pianos has been truly inspiring according to Mr. John Gerdy, founder and executive of "Music for Everyone."  He once again says, " We're excited at the Keys for the City pianos' return.  It offers a chance to build community through the power of music, and further solidifying Lancaster's status as "The Street Piano Capital of the World."  This year's lineup includes an "MFE Community Piano," which allows sponsors to band together as a group to support a single piano.  There's also the C-Note Piano, which allows anyone who makes a $100 donation to Music for Everyone to have their name placed on the piano.  Music for Everyone also plans to reprise its Piano Path, a collection of more than 40 blue stencils on city sidewalks and walkways to help people locate this year's pianos.  Free maps with piano locations are available at select retailers and restaurants throughout the city.  Piano locations, as well as their corresponding artists and sponsors are listed at the end of this story.  If you need additional information you may be able to obtain it at musicforeveryone.org.  The following list will tell you where you can listen...or even play...this year's pianos.  Hey!  I might see you there!  It was another extraordinary day in the life if an ordinary guy.  PS - You can visit the following spots if you care to listen to music or perhaps perform some music yourself.  ENJOY the Key's for the City!  Remember...the pianos are there for you to play.  But, please be careful with the instruments!  Many Thanks!

333 Church Street.  -   42 N. Prince St.   -   24 E. King St.   -   114 N. Prince St. 

100 S. Queen St.   -   26 E. Chestnut St.   -   59 W. Chestnut St.    -   Park City Center 

              1 Penn Square.  -   123 N. Queen St.   -   300 Harrisburg Ave.     

3529 Old Philadelphia Pike, Intercourse.  -    30 W. Orange St.   -   110 N. Lime St.

 100 N. Queen St.   -  135 N. Lime St.  -  225 N. Queen St  -  308 E. King St.  -  25 W. King St.

Colin Fry securing one of the pianos on N. Prince St.

Unloading a piano along N. Prince St. in downtown Lancaster

Playing a tune on one of the pianos