Piano by Nature Fundraiser and Concerts: A Century of Ragtime Piano

Scott Joplin’s Victory: A Century of Ragtime Piano
Nicola Melville, piano
Saturday, April 12 at 7:00 p.m. – Join PBN for a Titanic Fundraiser!
Sunday, April 13 at 3:00 p.m. – Concert Only
At the Hand House, Elizabethtown, NY

On the weekend of April 12th and 13th join Piano by Nature for an exciting and intriguing set of ragtime concerts from New Zealand pianist Nicola Melville, who has been described as “having an original and intelligent musical mind” (Waikato Times), “a marvelous pianist who plays with splashy color but also exquisite tone and nuance” (American Record Guide), and “the sort of advocate any composer would love” (Dominion Post).

It promises to be a weekend filled with rich history and vibrant ragtime music, which is a distinctly African American art form born in the late 1800s, and one which heralded both jazz and rock and roll in its unique use of syncopated ‘ragged’ rhythms. Come and hear a plethora of historic and contemporary works, covering over a hundred years of diverse styles and compositions on an incredible variety of subjects such as maple leaves, sunflowers, sleepwalking, and more. Hear lively piano rags by composers Scott Joplin, James Scott, Claude Debussy, William Albright, and others, and then come to meet Ms. Melville after both concerts.

On Saturday, April 12th PBN will offer an incredible and unique live experience that includes food, drink, history, period-dress, and music all wrapped up in one glorious evening.

For the Saturday April 12th Titanic Fundraiser we ask that attendees dress in period costume from 1912, with a prize for most authentic costume or character from the HMS Titanic. If you cannot find the right period clothes, all is good with simple black-tie elegance. The event kicks off at 5PM with a menu featuring gorgeous hors d’oeuvres from Fork and Knife Catering of Plattsburgh, wine, a raffle, dessert, and of course, an amazing PBN concert. This fundraiser is a one-day event on Saturday, April 12th only, so get your tickets early and get ready to set sail for an unforgettable experience!

The party starts at 5PM and the concert at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $100 per person and include 2 drink tickets

On Sunday, April 13th we will offer our traditional 3PM Matinee, including a sumptuous reception afterwards and a meet-and-greet with our wonderful artist.

On Sunday, doors will open 30 minutes before the performance, and we recommend arriving early to avoid check-in lines. For that performance PBN requests a donation of $20 per concert ticket; $5 for children aged 15 and under. Please call or email if you’d like to volunteer and we’ll offer free admission; seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

There is something for everyone. Both concerts promise to be absolutely stunning and will feature New Zealand pianist Nicola Melville playing ragtime music spanning over a century, beginning with works from the late 1800s.

Learn more at pianobynature.org.

About Piano By Nature

Piano By Nature was founded to bring professional and thought-provoking performances to the North Country and to make available creative educational programs to local area schools. Our concerts are held in the historic Hand House parlor in Elizabethtown, New York. They have grown to include year-round solo and chamber music concerts, with performances highlighting lesser-known twentieth century works and unusual instrumental combinations. Learn more at www.pianobynature.org.