Piano project expected to be downtown attraction
By Geri Corey
GOSHEN — The “sound of music” will be heard throughout the streets of Goshen this summer. That is, if Village of Goshen Mayor Kyle Roddey has his way.
He's advancing an initiative called The Keys of Goshen Public Piano Project.
“The goal of our public piano project is to take older, used pianos, have them refurbished and tuned and put in various locations in the downtown district,” he said in advance of a fundraiser at Limoncello on March 18.
The uses are many: random play, lessons, entertaining family and friends — or just sitting down to play and see what happens. The idea is to just have fun and add vibrancy to the downtown business district, Roddey said.
The project is moving forward with help from the Goshen Art League, whose members are overseeing decoration of the pianos.
“The pianos will be painted by professional artists with beautiful designs, artistically decorated. Works of art in themselves,” said Roddey.
Already on hand, in interim space donated by Owen Law Firm, are five pianos waiting to be transported to a shop for refurbishing and painting.
Goshen residents, and non-Goshen residents, donated all the pianos. Funds are needed to cover tuning, refurbishing, art supplies, artist commission costs, and piano covers for inclement weather.
The Goshen Art League, headed by president Julie Saltzberg, is soliciting proposals for the work. Roddey estimates the total amount needed at about $6,000.
Organizers are looking to June to have the pianos out on the streets, ready for playing and filling the air with melodious musical renditions.
Roddey noted that village officials, along with members of the Goshen Art League, the Goshen Chamber of Commerce, and Illuminate Goshen, support the endeavor and are excited about the prospect of bringing more people to the downtown area.
“Orange County is supportive of the arts and we visualize people from all over the County coming to see the works of art, listen to the music, make their own music and simultaneously support the local business community,” Roddey said. “The most important thing is that this is a community wide endeavor. We want the whole community to play the pianos, from first-time players to virtuosos, and to everyone in between.”
Donations are needed to help make Mayor Roddey’s vision come true. A fundraiser for project will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, March 18, at Limoncello, 159 Main St., Goshen. Tickets are $25.
For sponsorship opportunities and more information, call Roddey at 551-0699 or email him at kyleroddey@gmail.com.