Clavinova Part of Year-End Festivities

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Senseney's director of education, was thrilled with the turnout and expects to have many more students for her second Festival next year. "Everyone who registered to play showed up - I was amazed at that kind of commitment," says Fehrmann. "Given the enthusiasm, I think we'll need to expand next year's Festival to more than one day."

The Clavinova's wide variety of sounds kept the interest levels high for both students and teachers. "I sat here and listened to the Clavinova all day and never once got tired of the incredible sounds that came out of it," continues Fehrmann. "It was such a positive experience that I'm ready to start another one."

The Clavinova Festival at Trombino Piano Gallery in Pittsburgh, PA proved to be a huge hit with all involved. "This was our first Festival, and it kept growing until we had more than 200 participants. I was surprised by the tremendous number of kids wanting to participate," says Patricia Neeper, Trombino's executive manager. "Given the tremendous success of this Festival, we have follow-up plans for a Clavinova camp for the teachers and kids in September. We're making a bunch of Clavinova fanatics here."

Through an uncanny twist of fate, Neeper and the Clavinova Festival participants were treated to a special and unexpected visit from composer Marvin Hamlisch. All participants were eligible for a grand prize drawing - the opportunity to attend a rehearsal of the Pittsburgh Pops Orchestra and tour the hall. The lucky winner, 10-year-old James Majernik, and his family, including his sister and Festival participant Jocelyn Rose, also got the opportunity to meet Hamlisch who happened to be in town to conduct the Orchestra during its George Gershwin Birthday Anniversary concert.

As a result of his conversation with the Majernik's, Hamlisch became intrigued with the Festival and called Neeper. "He said that he didn't have plans on Saturday and asked if he could come by our Festival," she exclaims. "The fact that someone as influential as Hamlisch was interested in the Clavinova Festival enough to fit it into his schedule says quite a lot about the program's importance of getting people involved in making music."

Hamlisch is a big supporter of music education and has been working hard to re-establish it in New York City schools. That is why his interest was piqued when he learned of the Clavinova Festival program and experienced first-hand the Festival at Trombino's. "He was so impressed with the program that he made it a point for me to explain it to his manager," says Frazer. "He just thinks the whole thing is amazing and we are grateful to have someone of his stature support what we are doing."