Clavinova Goes to Camp

Ten years ago when Rick Blum, director of the Southhampton Summer Day Camp, Southhampton, PA, was in the market to purchase a piano for the camp, his research kept pointing to one inevitable conclusion - a Clavinova was the best digital piano for his purposes. Now a decade later, that Clavinova is still performing as well as entertaining and teaching a new generation of campers.

Blum originally selected the Clavinova digital piano because of its mobility and ability to stay in tune. The former was of prime importance because the camp's music program demands that the instrument be moved from one locale to another - a concern that also effects tuning. In previous years the camp owned an acoustic piano, but because it was exposed to the elements it was very difficult to keep in tune, and virtually impossible to move. "The Clavinova is terrific," adds Blum. "It's so versatile and indestructible. You can imagine the amount of abuse an instrument takes at a camp. Plus, the kids love it. They have a lot of fun with the Clavinova and in the camping business 'fun' is a key word."

Amy Blum, Rick's sister and performing arts director, and Lisa Cooperman, music counselor, believe that creativity and flexibility are the Clavinova's major benefits, especially when working with children. They are particularly fond of the Clavinova's transpose key, a feature that allows the player to put any song in any key at the touch of a button. "With so many little kids singing in so many different keys, this is a welcome creative tool," says Ms. Cooperman. "It certainly makes my job as accompanist much easier."

Cooperman pointed out that the transpose capability is also very useful in professional situations. She and Ms. Blum often perform together and there have been instances when Cooperman has taken advantage of the Clavinova's transpose function to push the key lower, compensating for the rare times when the singer was having trouble hitting certain high notes.

The pair recently used the camp's Clavinova in performance at a luncheon given by the Friends of Elkins Park Library, Elkins Park, PA, chaired by Lisa's mother, Phyliss Cooperman. The luncheon honored contributions made to the library by members and volunteers, and was another perfect showcase for the instrument's versatility, creativity and durability.

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"It certainly

makes my

job as an

accompanist

much easier."