Cathy Dobson A new musical sensation has arrived at the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts, promising to attract crowds with her commanding presence and precise tones.
Cathy Dobson
A new musical sensation has arrived at the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts, promising to attract crowds with her commanding presence and precise tones.
The Yamaha U1 professional quality piano greets visitors in the second-floor turret room, where regular concert events are held.
The piano was a gift from Leonard Segall and wife Marilyn Mason, both long-time volunteers with various arts and music organizations in Sarnia.
“We felt that donating it is an opportunity to make a lasting contribution to the community,” said Segall, an engineer at Imperial Oil and chairman of the board at the Lawrence House.
An old upright that was at least a century old had been in use in the turret room for years and was still in good shape, but several musicians told Segall a better calibre of play wasn’t possible without a new piano.
Cliff and Helen Mutton of Sarnia had donated the old one.
“We hope this one will last as long,” said Mason, a vice-principal at Western University’s King’s University College and past board chair of the Sarnia Concert Association.
With the help of David Nichols, they began scouting around for a better instrument. Nichols is a retired music teacher and composer who knows his pianos, said Segall.
Various used pianos were offered but all needed extensive restoration. When Nichols recommended a new Yamaha U1 from D & S Pianos in London, Segall and Mason were interested.
“It was the floor model, so a decision was needed right away,” said Segall. “There was no time to fundraise and you can’t apply retroactively for a grant to pay for things you’ve already bought.”
So the couple decided to donate it.
“Marilyn and I like to support the arts and the Lawrence House is important to us,” said Segall.
The piano arrived just in time. It was delivered from D & S Pianos in June, just weeks before the store burned to the ground. In fact, Segall and Mason were asked to rewrite the cheque for the piano because the original was lost in the fire.
The Yamaha was used for the first time during an Open Stage event, which is held the second and third Monday of each month, as is in place for a new season of House Concerts starting Sept. 10 at the Lawrence House, 127 Christina St. South.
Meanwhile, it’s also the star of a novel fundraising project. Tunes in the Turret is a 24-hour piano marathon, requiring volunteer participants to play around the clock, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 7 (First Friday).
Piano players can sign up and select their time by registering and paying a $25 fee. They are also asked to collect pledges and sponsors, then bring their friends, family and fellow musicians.
Anyone interested can call 519-337-0507.
The Arts Journal features cultural events and projects in our community. Direct your ideas to [email protected] or 266-932-0985.
