Pies help pay for $84,000 Steinway
Churchgoers roll out the dough for new instrument
It took more than four years and a lot of pie sales, but Ottawa’s First Unitarian Congregation has a
shiny new $84,000 Steinway.
For church music director Jane Perry, the piano fulfills a longtime dream. When she was appointed to
the job in 2000, Perry heard the same comments from musicians who performed there: Great venue.
Too bad about the piano.
Churchgoers roll out the dough for new instrument
It took more than four years and a lot of pie sales, but Ottawa’s First Unitarian Congregation has a
shiny new $84,000 Steinway.
For church music director Jane Perry, the piano fulfills a longtime dream. When she was appointed to
the job in 2000, Perry heard the same comments from musicians who performed there: Great venue.
Too bad about the piano.
The church's old instrument, a Yamaha, hadn't held up well, she says."It was functional, but for anyone who wanted to give a serious
concert, it was definitely not the instrument of choice. Now we have a proper piano that we hope will attract even more musicians to
perform here, and that will be good for rental revenue," Perry says.
"The pianists who are performing this season are excited. We think it's great for the music community. Comparing the piano we used to
have to what we have now is like comparing a K-car to a Lamborghini."
But for a small church, raising $84,000 is not an easy feat. Perry says she and other organizers originally planned a five-year campaign,
and she worried that even that was overly ambitious. So she says she was thrilled to have met the target in four-and-a half years.
"This was a true community effort, and it's been very exciting to see that support," Perry says.
The biggest chunk of cash came from a buy-a-key campaign, in which donors could purchase a single piano key for $500 and have their
name or the name of a loved one embroidered on the instrument's fabric cover. All 88 keys sold, raising $44,000.
And never underestimate the power of pastry. The second-largest source of funds came from pies, made by churchgoers who sold
them after Sunday services, for four years. The pies raised $14,000, Perry proudly reports The remainder came from fundraising
concerts.
concert, it was definitely not the instrument of choice. Now we have a proper piano that we hope will attract even more musicians to
perform here, and that will be good for rental revenue," Perry says.
"The pianists who are performing this season are excited. We think it's great for the music community. Comparing the piano we used to
have to what we have now is like comparing a K-car to a Lamborghini."
But for a small church, raising $84,000 is not an easy feat. Perry says she and other organizers originally planned a five-year campaign,
and she worried that even that was overly ambitious. So she says she was thrilled to have met the target in four-and-a half years.
"This was a true community effort, and it's been very exciting to see that support," Perry says.
The biggest chunk of cash came from a buy-a-key campaign, in which donors could purchase a single piano key for $500 and have their
name or the name of a loved one embroidered on the instrument's fabric cover. All 88 keys sold, raising $44,000.
And never underestimate the power of pastry. The second-largest source of funds came from pies, made by churchgoers who sold
them after Sunday services, for four years. The pies raised $14,000, Perry proudly reports The remainder came from fundraising
concerts.
