American Grands concert: 1 stage, 12 pianos, 500 players

Twelve grand pianos will set the stage along with nearly 500 pianists of various ages and abilities, representing over 50 hometowns when American Grands XXI is presented on Saturday, Jan. 30, at the Elgin Community College Arts Center.

The performers will entertain with a wide variety of musical numbers, from Sousa and Tchaikovsky to Taylor Swift, beginning each performance with "The Star Spangled Banner" and ending with "Stars and Stripes Forever."

"We always begin and end with patriotic music," said director Larry Dieffenbach of Geneva, a member of the ECC music staff.

The show doesn't stick to any theme and strives to present a varied repertoire played by a remarkably diverse stable of pianists.

"It's a concert that is designed to please an audience," said Dieffenbach, who is directing the Grands for the 13th time.

The performers are divided into three groups to play at three separate times. Each group is diverse.

"It's a great concert to come to as a listener and spectator. You will have very advanced pieces by professional musicians as well as our very youngest group, starting at 6 years old."

It's not often that an audience hears Bizet and Taylor Swift in the same presentation, but Grands XXI will supply that variety and much more.

"There are classical pieces: themes from 'Carmen' and the theme from 'Swan Lake,'" Dieffenbach said. "Then there's a more contemporary piece called 'Rhapsody Grandioso.'

"But there are also some contemporary themes, like 'Mission Impossible' and 'James Bond,' which is being played by our high school group," he continued.

This year's performance will see an unusual amount of parent/child duets, according to Dieffenbach.

"We have a number of parents who dusted off their piano playing skills in order to play with their children," he said. "I would venture to say we have 20-30 pairs of parent/child partners."

One of those pairings is Doug and Jenny Fick. Doug is retired and living in Elgin and his adult daughter, who lives in Palatine, is a physical therapist's aide.

Jenny has ben playing for 22 years since she taught herself to do so on her mother's piano at age 9. Her father is new to the art of piano playing, having taken it up two years ago at Elgin Community College, where he was surprised to find his classes were free.

"Once you turn 60, you can go to ECC and there's no tuition. It floored me," Doug Fick said.

Upon retirement, Doug had decided to follow the passion he had set aside when adult concerns got in the way of his musical pursuits.

"I just love it. I learned a lot about music," he said. "Piano has helped me learn about music that I've applied to other music."

Doug also loves the idea of duetting with his daughter.

"She and I, when we play together, we just laugh and it's a wonderful bonding moment," he said.

Jenny enjoys the rehearsals as well. They meet once a week at the family home to go through the music.

"I found it very enjoyable. It's definitely something I'll want to do again next year," Jenny Fick said, although learning to play a duet has been a challenge.

"Learning to play with somebody else, learning to play with my dad, I really had to pay attention to timing and technique and dynamics," she said. "It's been a learning experience, because although I really have a good understanding of music theory and technique, I never had anyone tell me I have to do it this way, but I'll think I'll be OK."

Doug's mother, who is 97, plans to attend the performance.

"Mother is just thrilled," Doug said. "We're kind of doing it for mom. It's really special for us. She's very proud."

Those who haven't family or friends will enjoy the concert as well, according to Dieffenbach.

"It's one-of-a-kind; the original multi-piano concert in the Chicago area. A quality performance," he said. "It is not a recital."

Performances are at 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30; tickets are $15-24. Visit tickets.elgin.edu.

If you go

What: American Grands XXI

When: 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30

Where: Elgin Community College Arts Center's Blizzard Theatre, Building H, 1700 Spartan Drive

Tickets: $24 for adults or $15 for children, age 12 and younger.

Details: Call (847) 622-0300 or visit <a href="http://tickets.elgin.edu ">tickets.elgin.edu</a>. Tickets are also available at the box office.