The Birthday Lady's favorite music was from the Threepenny Opera. 

The family member that hired me to play piano music for this special 90th Birthday Party asked me to be sure and include the music from the Threepenny Opera as well as more opera music and also songs of George Gershwin and Hoagy Carmichael.

Well, the Gershwin and Carmichael music was easy enough to put together and I was able to add some other opera music into the mix, but I needed help finding piano music from the Threepenny Opera. "Mack the Knife' was the only song I had in my piano repertoire.

So I headed to my favorite resource, the Minneapolis Central Library-3rd floor Music Department!

When I visit the library looking for something in particular, I often come away with a lot more than I anticipated! I found a lovely publication of the music of Kurt Weill which included a number of his songs from the Threepenny Opera. I knew the Birthday Lady was going to love this! Then I found a fantastic book with songs of Hoagy Carmichael including quite a few new songs that I could add to my repertoire. I went home that afternoon very happy with my 'finds'!

The Birthday Lady loved my music and so did the guests! I went home from the party happy knowing that I had helped make the party special with my piano music.

by Sharon Planer, Pianist for Parties

'Do you know any Brazilian music?' was the question asked of me when I was hired to provide piano music for a party.  

"Oh, Yes! I love playing Brazilian and Latin music!", was my answer. The event was a cocktail party and I knew the music would create a lively jazzy atmosphere which is just what they were looking for. The event was an Appreciation Party for those who have supported their cause over the last few years.

I appreciated the client taking time to share his enthusiasm about the Foundation I was playing for. He explained that Joy of the People (Center for Soccer) in St. Paul had a unique youth sports philosophy.

They believe that children should have a place to experience the joy of free play and that it should be accessible to all children. 

They recently signed a ten year lease on the building and property which means they can now move forward on some great field improvements. They also received a wonderful grant on the turf needed once they get the field prepared. So they are in fundraising mode for this great cause! 

Midway through playing for the event I learned the 'Brazilian' connection. The founder and a foundation member visited Brazil to meet with some of the soccer talents and learn more about their concept of free play in Brazil. They returned with renewed vision for their endeavor.  You will enjoy reading some of their findings on their Joy of People web site. 

 If you have a passion for allowing children to be children while enjoying the sport of soccer, you could help make their Field of Joy come true. I invite you to show your interest by contacting Ted@joyofthepeople.org

Joy of the People sponsored a beautiful evening of appreciation for their volunteers and sponsors. I had a fun time playing catchy Latin rhythms for this great group of people!