Due to requests for a repeat performance, the members of the Gualala Arts Piano Group will give a recital in the Coleman Auditorium on the Yamaha Concert Grand piano. This group, in existence for almost twenty years, has a range of members from those who are just learning to play the piano, to expert musicians, and even professional artists. This recital will be their fourth performance.

The program will be a classical concert with compositions by George Frideric Handel, Ludwig von Beethoven, Anton Dvorak, Franz Schubert, Robert Schumann, Johannes Brahms, and Johann Sebastian Bach. The grand finale will be a work for six hands by Bach. The recitalists for this presentation are Sonya Halley and Sally Kopac (in photo), Chuck Davis, Judy Biehler, Ann Harriman, Paula Osborne, Betty Covington, Steve Kaplan, and Irena Morgan.

The proceeds from the donations received at the door go to a fund to upgrade the lighting in the Arts Center. The Piano Group regularly meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 1:30 in members' homes, or if a piano is not available, they gather at the Del Mar Center on The Sea Ranch, or the Gualala Arts Center. Members wishing to share their newest accomplishments play a short piece, or just a movement from a sonata so everyone who wants to perform gets a chance. The afternoon is filled with applause, compliments, and encouragement - the group is strong on nurturing and enjoying music. Musicians at any level are welcomed. Members fondly remember the guy who began by playing "Hernando's Hideaway" with two fingers.

The Yamaha Concert Grand piano was a gift from one of the group's members - David Lytle. He always wanted to get a better piano for Gualala Arts, but he died suddenly before he could fulfill his wish. His son, who lives in Prague, decided to donate David's own world class piano to the Arts Center where it constantly amazes everyone who performs on it. The Piano Group's last recital was a memorial to David Lytle.

For further information, call (707) 884-1138 or visit gualalaarts.org. Located at 46501 Old State Highway in Gualala, the Arts Center is open weekdays 9 am to 4 pm, and weekends from noon to 4 pm.