American Grands XXII to feature 460 pianists on Jan. 28

Approximately 460 pianists of all ages and skill levels will perform during American Grands XXII on Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Elgin Community College Arts Center. The piano event of the year will be held at 1, 4 and 7 p.m. in the ECC Arts Center's Blizzard Theatre, Building H, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin.

A celebration of group piano performance, American Grands feature 24 pianists (two per piano) performing on stage at once on 12 grand pianos.

The performers, who range from early elementary school students to adult performers, hail from more than 50 different hometowns. The grand pianos are provided by Cordogan's Pianoland, the event's sponsor since its inception. Cordogan's, located in Geneva, provides and maintains the 12 grand pianos that grace the stage at this huge annual undertaking.

This season's musical repertoire includes an exciting and wide range of works including arrangements of "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele, the "Star Wars" theme by John Williams, selections from Handel's "Messiah," "Defying Gravity" from Stephen Schwartz' Broadway musical "Wicked," and "Piano Man" by Billy Joel.

Continuing the American Grands tradition, all three performances will open with the "Star-Spangled Banner" and close with "Star and Stripes Forever."

"American Grands is a multigenerational celebration of the piano and those who love to play it which makes it a unique and joyous opportunity for musicians. We have professional level players performing with piano students, parents and grandparents performing with their children," says Music Director Larry Dieffenbach. "We have whole families who celebrate this event together every year. Opportunities for musicians of all levels and ages to perform together are very rare."

This year will mark Dieffenbach's 21st year with American Grands and 14th as its music director. A member of the music faculty at ECC, he teaches privately in Geneva, and is the organist/music director at the Little Home Church by the Wayside in Wayne. He also is founder/director of the St. Charles International Piano Competition. Dieffenbach made his orchestral debut under the baton of New York conductor Brock McElheran.

Colin Holman returns as conductor, a role he has held for 21 of the 22 American Grands concerts. He maintains an active career as conductor and musicologist in the Chicago area as music director of the Loyola University Orchestra, Fox Valley Orchestra, Fox Valley Concert Band and the international award-winning Chicago Brass Band. He has lectured at both the undergraduate and graduate level at several area universities including Northwestern University, Northern Illinois University, North Park University, and Wheaton College.

Tickets to American Grands XXII are $24, $15 for children age 12 and under. Tickets for all performances in the ECC Arts Center are available online at tickets.elgin.edu or at the ECC box office located in the arts center. Box office hours are noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday. To purchase tickets by phone, call (847) 622-0300. All major credit cards are accepted.