Becoming A Key Player

It has been the central and most versatile instrument of western music since the 18th century, adapted for venues as diverse as concert halls to bawdy saloons to living rooms in the-house-next-door to, yes, even houses of worship. It stands alone as a musical soloist and can enhance any ensemble, band, or orchestra. It is the platform for just about every genre of music—pop, country, classical, and sacred. It is, of course, the piano.

Italian Bartolomeo Cristofori is credited with developing the first piano (in the 1690’s). He pioneered the piano technology (keyboard-hammers-strings) that is still in use today. Over the years, hundreds of manufacturers have attempted to improve on Cristofori’s pianoforte; Steinway and Baldwin are two names that come to mind.

And then, there’s Torakusu Yamaha. Yamaha was born in Japan in 1861 and became fascinated with western culture and technology. He trained as a watchmaker and eventually repaired medical equipment. In the 1890’s, he built a reed organ. But it was the first piano manufactured in the Orient in 1900 that cemented his name in the musical history books. By 1904, Yamaha’s acoustic excellence and woodworking craftsmanship earned his pianos Grand Prizes at the St. Louis World’s Fair. Yamaha pianos were catapulted into the first tier of the world’s finest instruments. Yamaha concert grands are still considered some of the world’s best—and chosen more often than any other by top classical musicians at prestigious global competitions.

We have a spectacular new concert grand piano at Madison Park. Well, it’s new to us, anyway. It’s a Yamaha that has been the recording studio piano for some of popular music’s greatest talents; it arrived from its original home in Los Angeles (fully refurbished and tuned for our use) last week; its black-wood finish elegantly graces our platform in the Auditorium.

Those very ivories have been tickled by some famous hands, including those of: James Taylor, Stevie Wonder, Tony Bennett, and Andrew Lloyd Weber. When you hear their recordings, you may be listening to our piano, also. It’s an instrument that good.

Weeks before the piano found its way to our new home, Steve Williamson sent me a picture and “bio” on the piece. For him, this piano was “love at first sight.” I almost had to ask him to take a cold shower. It’s just a piano, Steve. Cool down.

Still, I understand his excitement. Its brilliant, precise, and rich tones stand alone. A piano can speak in a thousand languages and communicate clearly, every time. It can speak to older generations and younger ones, too. It’s always in vogue. It captures traditional favorites and fresh new songs. It can bring a hush across the room or inspire even the most reserved soul to tap a foot or clap the hands. It can move us with a simple melody, just one note at a time, or take our breath away with an astounding sweep of chords and keys, running from one end of the keyboard to the other. This piano has seen it all. And, in the right hands, it can do it all.

Kind of like this church. Versatile. Flexible. Adaptable. Elegant. And, fun, too. Sober, when it needs to be. Full of laughter and smiles the rest of the time. We are an instrument in Heaven’s hand, with a wonderful history, but now poised for even greater things.

We’ve got some sharps and flats. Some high notes and low ones. Black keys and white keys. Several octaves stretch across our keyboard. Not one key is of much use by itself, but when played by the Master, following the composition of His choice, whoa, what a sound. What a magnificent instrument. Even better than the Yamaha concert grand.

The next time you walk into the Auditorium at Madison Park—the next time you hear that piano sing—stop and think about our
congregation. Where it’s been, what we’ve seen. And how wonderful it is to be on a new stage, right here, right now. It’s a whole new chapter of exciting new tunes, even as we recall treasured ones. It’s a whole new season of opportunity, inspiration, blessing, and beautiful music that God can call out of us, with which to move the hearts of a larger audience than we have ever before imagined. It gives new meaning to one of my favorite phrases, “Stay tuned.”

Add your note. Become a key player in our church’s life. Don’t sit on the sidelines, don’t be the old upright in Uncle George’s attic or
the tinny keyboard in your cousin Vinny’s rec room—be a part of the new grand. Maybe you’ve only played for the world outside before—no matter—God can use you at Madison Park now.

Contact our Volunteer Coordinator Marti Freeman. She’ll help you find your place to serve. You’ll be amazed at the beautiful music you can make. The time is now. Get involved. Be encouraged. Connect. Grow. Serve.