by Sharon Planer, Pianist for Parties

"You must love having a profession that involves participating in happy events" was a comment I received this week when meeting a gentleman for the first time.

I heartily agreed that I love sharing my piano music for events that celebrate happy occasions. Tailoring my piano repertoire for anniversaries, birthdays, corporate milestones, graduations, engagement parties, and weddings is great fun!

But I reminded him that some events such as funerals are solemn and at times heartbreaking for many of the guests.

My comment caused him to recall his father's funeral and how important the music was to his family.

This week two separate events caused me to reflect on the effect music has during times of bereavement. Earlier this week I had a lovely grand piano at my fingertips just inside the main doors of a beautiful funeral home. As guests arrived for the visitation with the family they were greeted with colorful floral arrangements, a flowing fountain, and my elegant piano music. The visual and musical atmosphere helped create a relaxed and welcoming setting. Guests would occasionally stop by the piano to comment on the effect of the music. Even though this was a time of sadness, the music helped create an uplifting atmosphere.

his evening there was a intimate memorial service for a gentleman from my local church. As guests gathered to greet the family, I softly played songs of faith. During the service I loved accompanying the guests as they sang the family's choice of well-loved hymns. This allowed the guests to express their hope and faith through music. The widow told me that the funeral was 'so perfect' and was exactly how her husband would have wanted it. 

he quote from Aldous Huxley sums it up beautifully. "After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music."

Have ou experienced an event where music really affected the setting in a significant way? I would love to hear your comments!

by Sharon Planer, Pianist for Parties

My phone rang.

The gentleman caller wanted to hire me to play for his wife's wedding anniversary.

This sounded like a splendid idea to me! He explained that every anniversary he has tried to plan something extraordinary.  

The anniversary this year was problematic because his wife was very pregnant and on bed rest.

He realized that whatever solution he came up with would have to happen at home.

While at his local Dunn Bros coffee shop, the gentleman noticed my Pianist for Parties business card on the bulletin board and he was hit with a bolt of inspiration. He could hire a piano player to serenade his wife on their anniversary! I thought to myself, 'What an awesome guy to plan something so special for his wife!' When I arrived at their home, I observed the husband sending his two children out the door with the babysitter and brown bag dinners in their hands. It was a precious sight!

The husband escorted me inside and introduced me to his wife who was reclining on the couch in the living room. Against the wall was an upright piano waiting to be played. I asked her for requests and started my serenade. The husband disappeared into the kitchen. Amid the strains of my music could be heard the clatter of pots and pans. Eventually, delicious aromas emerged into the room. I continued my serenade while his wife rested comfortably. My music concluded when the husband announced that the anniversary dinner was ready to be served! 

I left their home with a happy feeling of having helped make their wedding anniversary a little more special.

Do you have a story where music played a key role in an anniversary celebration? I would love to hear your comments!

by Sharon Planer, Pianist for Parties

A bride recently hired me to provide live piano music for her Wedding Cocktails.

The upbeat jazz standards and pop standards that I often play for a cocktail time were not the atmosphere she was wishing to create. She was looking for a more classical sound.​

A meeting was arranged with the bride and groom at the grand piano at their venue.​ We discussed the festive nature of their cocktail time. I suggested the music of Mozart and Vivaldi to create a light classical feel. They both loved the samples of music I played for them. For a little variety I played music from some new age composers that has a classical 'feel'. This was also a hit with the bride and groom.

​I loved the opportunity to have the bride and groom preview and approve the music for their special day.

We adjourned our time together with the bride and groom excited about my music and I was delighted to have tailored a repertoire to their wishes!