88x6: an ensemble experience.(Forum Focus: Local Associations)

What do you get when you combine 30 piano teachers, 30 piano students, and six grand pianos? The result is "88 x 6," a piano ensemble concert presented by the Spokane [Washington] Music Teachers Association (SMTA) on October 28, 2006.

What initially began as a way for teachers to enjoy performing together on multiple pianos became one of the biggest events this association had ever undertaken.

Approximately one year before the concert, repertoire was chosen and six grand pianos were secured for "88 x 6." It became apparent early on that more participants would be required for this concert than SMTA's previous teachers' concerts. Eleven ensembles needed to be filled, but maintaining teaching schedules, family lives and other obligations put a limit on how much each member could contribute. So a plea went out for more teachers to participate, and everyone was encouraged to choose one or two students from their studios to join us. When the final numbers were tallied, 60 teachers and students had signed up and committed to rehearse and perform together in two identical concerts--matinee and an evening performance.

The idea of a teachers' concert was not new to this association. SMTA had, over the past several years, presented two concerts with members performing on two pianos. The first program featured Rachmaninoff's Third Piano Concerto played in a "tag team" format. Saint SaChs' Carnival of the Animals and G minor Piano Concerto were the centerpieces of the second program. Marlene Haney, the original concert organizer, has since moved to Ireland with her husband, but she encouraged teachers to continue this sort of collaboration.

Preparing for "88 x 6" was an amazing experience. A wide variety of repertoire had to be learned and rehearsed. Some works written for two pianos, like Rachmaninoff's Russian Rhapsody, were performed with three individuals on each part. Other pieces, such as Bach's G minor Fugue for organ, began as arrangements ...