Getting hired to provide live piano music for parties introduces me to a variety of celebrations.

During the process of planning my music, I have the opportunity to learn more about the client or company that has hired me.  During the event I learn even more when presentations and speeches are given. I always come away with a fresh appreciation of the work my clients do.

This past week I have had the pleasure of playing for several educational institutions.  Last evening I had the honor of providing background piano music at a performing arts center for educators and support staff that are retiring from years of service in their school district. Some of them have served over 30 years! The party included family members of the retirees. There were some sweet children that put their energy to use by dancing to my music! What a fun event! Congrats to the retirees and thank you to them for their many years of service to educating and supporting our youth.

Last week a university hosted an appreciation reception for those involved in their mentor-ship program. This reception honored graduates from the university that helped mentor their university students throughout the year. The event was held in their beautiful atrium and included me providing background piano music. These mentors provide a valuable contribution to the students education. I was happy that my music was included to help honor these wonderful mentors.

In June another university will hold a reception to honor employees that are celebrating a milestone in their years of service and I am delighted to be their pianist for the event!

I am so appreciative of the wonderful educational opportunities that are available in Minnesota.

I love sharing my music to honor and celebrate the achievements of our educators and support staff!

Readers at Minnesota Bride Magazine voted for the wedding professionals they considered to be the Best.  

The results were tallied and Sharon Planer was delighted to have been voted the recipient for 'Best of 2017' Ceremony music category!

I appreciate the wedding couples, event professionals and people that experienced my piano music services and considered me worthy of their vote at Minnesota Bride Magazine.  It has been my passion to get to know each wedding couple that hires me and do my best to fulfill their vision for the music on their wedding day.  It makes me happy to know that so many of my wedding couples were pleased with my music! 

There are many wonderful wedding musicians in the Twin Cities including the other two finalists the Loring String Quartet and the Lake Minnetonka String Quartet.

Remember to pick up a copy of MInnesota Bride Magazine at your local newsstand or call 1-800-637-0334 for great planning tips and real wedding stories.

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.