An 1869 Square Grand Piano: Music & Refreshments in the Parlor

Join us at The Music House for an intimate afternoon concert featuring a rare 150+ year-old Chickering Square Grand Piano. Preserved in its original condition, with all its original parts intact, this piano is a rare and remarkable instrument. Edith Jane Tibbits and her family cared for it immaculately from 1869 until 1999, when it was gifted to The Music House’s collection.

Square grand pianos were central to family leisure in late 19th- and early 20th-century homes, before radio and television. We'll recreate the sounds of those homes and parlors through an inviting program of solo piano works, multiple-hand piano music, and vocal selections.

The afternoon will begin with refreshments before moving to the parlor for the musical program. Performers include John O’Brien and dear colleagues Jon Ward Shaw (vocalist), Carolyn Myers (vocalist), Finley Woolston (vocalist), David Williams (vocalist), and Chris Mann (recorder player). During intermission, we will enjoy refreshments and a wine tasting, with time to socialize and take a closer look at the piano.

You’ll hear:

- Songs from the sheet music collection of Edith Jane Tibbits’s great-great-grandmother

- Pieces by “the father of American music,” Stephen Foster

- Two engaging melodramas for speakers and piano

(View the full program in the "Discussion" section of this event page)

This concert is perfect for both first-time concertgoers and longtime lovers of music. There’s no pressure to know classical concert etiquette — please come as you are and enjoy.

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TICKETS

Suggested donation: $20

Students: $1+

**RSVP Required - Concerts often fill up**

Reserve your ticket(s) via Venmo payment (@John-OBrien-21575) and include your email address and party size (preferred)

OR

send an email to [email protected] and bring cash/check to the event

Additional support helps keep this concert series going as ticket prices don’t cover costs:

- $10 helps with instrument upkeep

- $25 helps cover refreshments

- $50 helps support performers

**If you’re able, please consider adding one of the above amounts to your ticket donation.**

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ADDITIONAL DETAILS

DURATION: ~2 hours, including a 20-minute intermission with refreshments and wine tasting

PARKING: Free parking is available next door in the Greenville Utilities lot - handicap parking available on the brick driveway in front of the house

VENUE: The Music House is a historic private home in Greenville, NC

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We hope you’ll join us for a special afternoon of music, history, and community!

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