Historic Piano Given to St. Mark & St. Paul
When Rob Lamborn called Julian Price in late 2020 to ask about a television Price had listed on Sewanee Classifieds, the conversation went differently than he expected. Lamborn, Rector of the Parish of St. Mark & St. Paul (formerly Otey Memorial), was interested in the large-screen TV to help the church establish teleconferencing capability because of COVID. Price told him the TV was already spoken for, but asked if the parish might be interested in a grand piano. Lamborn and Parish Organist Kathy Sturgis visited the Prices’ home to see and try out the piano, and immediately said the church would love to have it.
“I am thrilled that parishioners Lane and Julian Price generously donated this piano,” Lamborn said. “It is a wonderful addition to the church and its music program. Since the piano was built shortly before the Otey Memorial Church was constructed in 1891, its appearance fits perfectly. More importantly, the instrument is in excellent condition and has a superb tone quality.”
Delivery of the piano was arranged in 2021 and it began to be used in services, but a formal inauguration of the instrument did not take place until now because of COVID. On Sunday, June 26, prayers of dedication will be included in the 10 a.m. service, and a dedicatory recital will take place at 11 a.m. The Prices are dedicating their gift in honor of two couples who have been longtime members of the parish, Brown Patterson and his late wife Evie, and George Ramseur and his late wife Ruth.
The recital will include music of a variety of styles and time periods to showcase the piano’s flexibility in solo and accompaniment work. Sewanee Summer Music Festival piano faculty members Amy I-Lin Cheng and Steven Beck will perform solo works, OperaFest Sewanee participant Suzannah Waddington will sing accompanied by Theron Masters, and Sturgis will accompany violinist and local string teacher Tamara Hurd, clarinetists (and church members) John Gatta and Beth Wiley, and trombonist Lamborn.
“It’s particularly exciting to bring people together from across our community in this musical celebration,” Sturgis said. “Not all music for worship ‘fits’ on an organ; some is better suited to the tonal color of a piano. In addition, many singers, particularly the young or amateur, have problems with pitch when they sing with an organ. The piano is perfect in our smaller sanctuary for singers. The Prices’ gift has provided us wonderful options and versatility.”
The 10 a.m. service and the 11 a.m. recital on June 26 are free and the public is invited. The church is located at 216 University Ave., Sewanee; a festive reception will follow the recital.