Opera Singers, Broadway Performers and Musicians Headline Benefit "Concert for Keys" in Scotch Plains

The global music community has a special talent for staging concerts to raise awareness and money for great causes.  Now local musicians and performers are coming together for a unique concert to benefit students in the music department at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School who are in desperate need of a new piano.

More than a dozen professional acts will perform at the "Concert for Keys" on Friday, January 15, 7:00 p.m. at the Scotch Plains Fanwood High School.  The lineup includes international opera singers Jamie Baer Peterson and David Murray, Broadway performers David and Karen Cantor, New York City musical theater performers Carmen Artis and John Hammel, renowned choral group The Celebration Singers, a local Classic rock cover band, 33 1/3, and from the New Jersey Workshop for the Arts - the Woodwind Quintet, Alpenhorn Group and French Horn Group.   

"Our concert piano is at least 40 years old," says Vincent Turturiello, high school music teacher and fine arts supervisor.  "It needs to be tuned frequently and especially right before our concerts."  The cost of a gently used grand piano could range between $12,000 - $45,000.  Recent budget cuts and other music department priorities put the piano purchase on the back burner until one Music Booster parent presented the idea of a benefit concert.

Nathalie Centinaro is the parent of one of 425 students involved in the high school music program.  Her son, Charles, performs in several of the high school choral groups and she saw first-hand the challenges presented by an aging piano.  "I first brought the idea of a benefit concert to Choral Director John Brzozowski.  He liked the idea and suggested that I approach the Music Boosters."  The Music Boosters are a non-profit group of 160 families in the community who support the music program through fundraising, scholarships, set building and chaperoning on music competition trips. 

Nathalie Centinaro reached out to the local professional music community and was rewarded with multiple performance offers.  "In all my experience volunteering, I had never seen such an outpouring of good will and generosity," said Mrs. Centinaro.  "Everyone I have approached to contribute in any way has agreed to do so without request for pay of any kind." 

The concert will take place in the Manya Ungar Auditorium of the high school at 667 Westfield Road, Scotch Plains.  Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door, and can be purchased by calling 908-917-0674, or emailing benefit4keys@comcast.net. 

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