Piano “Petting Zoo” is Hands-On Success at Orchestra Concerts

Children and their families enjoy the chance to try out the Clavinova at Symphony Orchestra concerts in Ohio. Photos by Picture America

Watching young children make their own music is loads of fun for everyone, as one Yamaha dealer and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra discovered. Four Yamaha Clavinova digital pianos, dubbed “The Piano Petting Zoo,” are the centerpiece of novel pre-concert events held four times per season at local theaters.

Two years ago, Jane Hahn, the symphony’s education/community outreach director, visited The Piano Gallery in Dublin, OH where co-owner Jerry Wade’s seven-year old daughter, Lauren, was using Follow Lights® on a Clavinova. Hahn, who doesn’t play piano herself, was fascinated. She concluded the Clavinovas would be perfect for the Symphony’s Sunday Fundays (family concerts for 6-10 year olds) and its Lollipop Concerts (for 3-5 year olds). “The Piano Petting Zoo” was soon conceived.

Wade installed four Clavinovas – one CVP209, two CVP207s, and one CVP203 – with the high-gloss CVP209 up front to draw attention. The other three Clavinovas were equipped with headphones and a selection of disks. “Having only one song per disk allows many children to play,” explains Wade. “Each song is about 64 bars, and once the kids push ‘play,’ they use Follow Lights to play the song themselves. Mommy and Daddy are applauding. It’s very encouraging for the child.”

“Our relationship with The Piano Gallery is exceptional, and not just because it helps us out financially,” says Hahn. “Music education is so important, and “The Piano Petting Zoo” fosters positive parent/child relationships, it’s interactive fun, and the kids can touch the pianos. If children have prior knowledge of playing the piano, that’s great,” Hahn continues, “but if they don’t, the Clavinovas with the Follow Lights set them up for immediate success.”

Since its inception in February 2001, “The Piano Petting Zoo” has resulted in nine Clavinova purchases, despite The Piano Gallery’s low-key sales approach. “We’re ready to step aside with any parent who expresses interest, but we try really hard not to distract the kids with selling. We’re getting excellent exposure in the community,” says Wade, “and you can’t put a price on that.”