“Pianos Plus” eight-hand-two-piano group, which first began performing in Redlands 28 years ago, will present The Spinet music organization program Tuesday, April 18, co-sponsored by A.K. Smiley Public Library.
The public is invited to the program which begins at 7 p.m. at the Contemporary Club, 173, S. Eureka St.
Performers Mary Lou Jones, Sally Rehfeldt and Nelda Stuck, all past-presidents of Spinet, welcome their new keyboard partner, Dianna Bradley. The trio had been searching for the right replacement for Toni Spagnola who moved to Orlando, Fla., this past summer. In November, Bradley was voted into Spinet membership with her background in piano and was welcomed into “Pianos Plus.”
The foursome have added a new set-up, playing eight hands at one keyboard for their opening number, a brief original work by Chaminade titled “Les Noces d’Argent.”
The foursome appreciate the use of the two 100-year-okd Steinway pianos recently rebuilt by the Contemporary Club so that Redlands can have a performance spot in the clubhouse for concerts.
The works using both pianos will include Rimsky-Korsakoff’s “Dance of the Buffoons”; Milhaud’s “Brazileira”; “Berceuse” by Faure; Smetana’s “Sonata in One Movement”; Bach’s “Fugue in A Minor” arranged by Grainger” a Dvorak Slavonic Dance; “A Scott Joplin Rag Rhapsody”; and Miranda’s “You’ll be Back” from “Hamilton.”
Bradley received her master’s degree in piano performance from the University of Redlands, studying with Alexandra Piece. She worked as a private and class piano teacher and accompanist at UR and Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale and is currently accompanist for Our Savior Lutheran Church and the Pass Chorale in Banning.
Jones earned her bachelor’s degree from College of Idaho at Caldwell in psychology and her master’s degree in student personnel work from Syracuse University, New York. She served as executive director of the Redlands Symphony Association in its formative years, worked in community relations at Plymouth Village, and as Community Services coordinator for the Emergency Housing Consortium in San Jose. She has taught piano, served as church pianist, is a frequent accompanist, and has sung with a number of choral groups.
Rehfeldt earned her bachelor’s degree in organ performance, a minor in piano pedagogy, and her master’s degree from the University of Arizona in Tucson. She has “always played for churches,” including Faith Lutheran in Yucaipa, 43 years for First Presbyterian in Redlands, Community Presbyterian, and currently organist of First Baptist Church of Redlands in addition to many weddings at the Edwards Mansion Chapel and teaching private piano lessons.
Stuck earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism, her master’s in radio and television news, and studied organ at Michigan State University, East Lansing. She taught piano 30 years including during 17 moves with her Air Force husband. She served as chapel organist and youth choir director at George Air Force Base, and has rung hand bells for 40 years and served as an accompanist at First Congregational Church of Redlands. She is retired from 22 years as Community and the Arts editor of the Redlands Daily Facts, and has volunteered 24 years to get the Museum of Redlands up and running.