Welcome to KeyAction Summer/Fall 2001

Clavinova Festival Strikes the Right Note with Dealers and Participants

Whether it's the first time or the eighth, hosting a Clavinova Festival is a fun and wonderful learning experience for all involved. Four noncompetitive Festivals this spring proved once again that they attract positive attention and sales to Yamaha dealerships.

Jackson Piano in Rockford, IL, held its eighth Clavinova Festival over two weekends last April. "I really enjoy seeing how enthusiastic the children get," says consultant Janice Thorpe. "They love it so much – it's like generating electricity!"

During the first weekend, 18 teachers assisted with judging at the store. "The kids love the trophies with their names on them, and they take them to show and tell," says Thorpe. Yamaha District Manager Al Janetka was master of ceremonies during the second weekend, when 145 piano students (aged three to adult), offered four recitals on two CVP107 digital pianos at the Colonial Village Mall in Rockford. "The number of students involved doubled since last year," adds Thorpe. "We had extensive media exposure, including live TV coverage at the mall."

Jackson Piano distributed six loaner CVP107 digital pianos to teachers, and sold nine Clavinovas, including CVP107, 105, and 103 models.

Festival participant Hillary Allton won a CLP920 in a raffle at the Festival. "I was shocked – it really surprised me!" said the eight-year old pianist, who has been studying for three years. She likes to experiment with voices on her new CLP920.

A first-time Clavinova Festival was staged at Schmitt Music in Sioux Falls, SD, this past April. Keyboard Manager Scott Schoppert says, "It was satisfying and cost-effective. You can spend a lot on newspaper ads, but how else are you going to get 240 people in the door?" Clavinova Festival National Coordinator Lori Frazer added, "This event was really cool and very exciting. Bruce Levitt, their coordinator, did a wonderful job, and Schmitt utilized their in-store teacher, Alan Boysen, to prepare the teachers."

Sixteen teachers and 240 students (aged 5 to 19) performed on CVP109 and CVP107s. Schoppert placed 12 loaner CVP107s – and two were sold – as well as a CVP105, CVP103, and a CLP820. Even more good news: Schmitt's raffle winner traded up his Clavinova CLP920 for a CVP103.

Katherine Jenkins performed in Jackson Piano's Clavinova Festival. Some of Schmitt Music's 240 Festival performers pose above

"We went the noncompetitive route," says Schoppert, "because we thought the kids would enjoy it more. The teachers supported the idea. We couldn't hold more than 100 people in our auditorium, and this format allowed more time between groups." Despite these well-laid plans, Schoppert needed more time for customers attracted to the Clavinova display. "Next time, we'll stage our Festival over three days and allow more time between performances."

Samuel Music in Effingham, IL, held its second Clavinova Festival in April as well, at Effingham High School. Carla Doll, keyboard division manager, offered a pre-concert participants' workshop and two teacher clinics, which "definitely increased our sales due to increased Clavinova awareness. It was good for business because a lot of people weren't aware of all the things a Clavinova can do. And," she continued, "once you have one Festival under your belt, it's a lot easier. The students' arrangements were much more sophisticated. We all had so much fun." Samuel Music loaned 18 CVP109 and 107 digital pianos to teachers during the 2000 and 2001 Festivals, and 16 were purchased.

Doll admits she had been talking about creating a Clavinova Festival for five years before Samuel Music staged one. "Everyone is so glad we finally did it. Yamaha provides so much support – it's not difficult, though it is a lot of work. Lori Frazer was super!"

Samuel Music's Festival included performances by 30 teachers and 260 participants. Doll adds, "Some people drove more than 70 miles to play!"

"The whole day was casual. We stressed it was not supposed to be a nerve-racking experience, and the kids really had fun. Elizabeth Jansen, the 10-year old who won the CLP920 raffle, was shaking, she was so thrilled. And her family traded it in for a CVP107."

A special grandmother/granddaughter performance and a 14- Clavinova Monster Concert highlighted Henderson Music's first Festival in Lexington, KY, last March. "The grandmother played the CVP109 and used the vocal feature to split her six-year-old granddaughter's voice so they sounded like a trio," says Vicki McVay, who directs a student teacher Piano Preparatory Program at the University of Kentucky's Clavinova lab. "People loved it, and because the grandmother set up the disk and orchestrations herself, it showed how anyone, of any age, can enjoy this uncomplicated feature."

The Festival was held at the Singletary Center for the Arts at the University of Kentucky. "Our University's Clavinova lab has 16 Clavinovas, and our student teachers served as Festival hosts," says McVay. "They'll soon be out in the world, and using Clavinovas shows them what they can do in their classrooms."

A Monster Concert conducted by Dr. John Roller featured 28 participants simultaneously. Altogether, 10 teachers and 100 students (aged 6 to 70) participated in the event. Henderson Music supplied 14 CVP109 and 107 digital pianos. "We see this as a long-term cultivation and seeding process," says Brian Henderson, vice president of the music store. "Vicki ran the Festival perfectly, and Lori Frazer's knowledge of teaching and the music industry, not to mention her enthusiasm, were really helpful."

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