Church Dedicates Steinway Piano
On a hot Thursday evening in late August, a crowd gathered in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church of Forney for a free community piano concert. The people who endured the heat wave were rewarded with refreshments and wonderful melodies. It was a memorable evening, thanks to a commanding performance by famed jazz pianist and Steinway artist Donald Ryan.
Donald Ryan is a native of the West Indies who grew up playing piano in church. He has won numerous awards, including winning the 1975 Chopin Competition in Warsaw. He has also been a featured soloist at ragtime festivals, has issued more than a dozen recordings, and has played with luminaries such as Henry Mancini, Ralph Carmichael, Diahann Carroll, Johnny Desmond, Joe Williams, Andrea Baker, and Leona Mitchell. Mr Ryan’s setlist highlighted his own tremendous skill as well as the versatility of the hand-made Steinway, with selections from Chopin, Gershwin, Scott Joplin, and the performer’s own arrangements of classic church hymns. Mr. Ryan also accompanied Ms. Stephanie Hardin who is the church’s regular soloist and song leader. She sang three songs from Broadway and musical films, including two Judy Garland classics, “The Trolly Song” and “Over the Rainbow.” The concert portion of the evening may be enjoyed anytime on the church’s YouTube channel.
The August 24th occasion was the dedicatory concert for the Presbyterian church’s newly-acquired Steinway Model B piano. The Steinway Model B has been called “the perfect piano” and is considered by many the standard by which all 7’ pianos are measured. It is known for its refined tone, nuanced color, and touch sensitivity. The church’s Steinway, hand-made in 1994, was signed by Fort Worth native Van Cliburn. The church also hopes that the piano will be used for future concerts and piano recitals, benefiting the community.
At the conclusion of the concert, the piano was dedicated to God’s glory in honor of Don and Cheryl DeJong, who were members of the church for 38 years. Both were very active in the church and in the Forney community. Cheryl had been the church pianist since 1986. The evening concluded with Cheryl playing the Steinway, with the people singing “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us,” which is her favorite hymn. The church is grateful to all those who attended this wonderful event, proving that even in the middle of a dreadful heat wave, cool things can happen!