Field Arts & Events Hall gets Steinway, sets Music on the Strait weekends

By Sequim Gazette Staff • August 17, 2023 5:30 pm
Photo courtesy of Field Arts & Events Hall / Pianist Chuck Lamb takes to the stage for a private improvisational performance for the donors who supported the purchase of a Steinway concert grand piano, an acquisition that came from a partnership between the Field Arts & Events Hall and Music on the Strait.
Photo courtesy of Field Arts & Events Hall / Pianist Chuck Lamb takes to the stage for a private improvisational performance for the donors who supported the purchase of a Steinway concert grand piano, an acquisition that came from a partnership between the Field Arts & Events Hall and Music on the Strait.

Field Arts & Events Hall announces recently a partnership with Music on the Strait to purchase a Steinway concert grand piano.

“This prestigious addition will elevate concerts on the Olympic Peninsula and provide both audiences and musicians with the premiere experience,” Field Hall representatives said.

For several months, James Garlick, co-Artistic Director of Music on the Strait, searched nationwide for a Steinway concert piano, model D of “exceptional quality,” Field Hall representatives noted. After finding an “exceptional” Steinway piano in Chicago, Garlick approached Field Arts & Events Hall with a partnership proposal to acquire the instrument.

The piano was received at Field Arts & Events Hall on July 4, just in time for the first concert in the new events center on July 6.

Mark Schecter, Registered Piano Technician member of the Piano Technicians Guild, met the piano upon delivery and assisted with the installation and tuning. Prior to the July 6 performance of the Brubeck Brothers, pianist Chuck Lamb took to the stage for a private improvisational performance for the donors who supported the purchase of the instrument.

Individual arts patrons who contributed to this remarkable acquisition included Ralph and Catherine Bauman, Mark and Jan Fischer, Bill Kindler, Lee McGraw and Van Lupo, Chuck and Darlene Whitney, Dick Rapasky, Sharon and Rick Reuter, Tom and Terri Sutro, The Wilson Family, and Kathleen Wright and Martin Greene.

“We are beyond thrilled with the acquisition of the Concert Steinway D piano at Field Hall,” said Steve Raider-Ginsburg, executive director of Field Arts & Events Hall.

“This partnership with Music on the Strait signifies the shared vision and commitment to elevating the arts on the Olympic Peninsula. We cannot wait for our community to experience the remarkable performances this piano will bring to our stage.”

Music on the Strait

Field Arts & Events Hall and Music on the Strait are also partnering for the 2023 Music on the Strait Festival, set for Aug. 19 and Aug. 27, with three concerts at Field Hall and two at Maier Hall.

Opening night of the Music on the Strait Festival is Saturday, Aug. 19, and features Garrick Ohlsson and the Takács Quartet and will include the world premiere of a new work by 2023 composer-in-residence Lembit Beecher. The performance will begin at 7 p.m. and is proceeded by a 6:15 p.m. pre-concert talk with Classic KING FM 98.1’s Lisa Bergman.

For the full Music on the Strait festival schedule and ticket information, visit musiconthestrait.com. Tickets for Music on the Strait events at Field Hall can now be purchased at fieldhallevents.org/tickets.