Recital 50 --- May 15, 2018 #2736549 09:23 PM Joined: Posts: 2,802 A AB Forum Recital OP 2000 Post Club Member OP AB Forum Recital 2000 Post Club Member A Joined: Posts: 2,802



Welcome to the 50th AB Forum "Beginners and Beyond" Online Recital!!!!



We have a special treat before we launch into the usual instructions and, of course, the music. Because this is such a major milestone in the history of the recitals, we asked two special individuals to give us their thoughts on this event. The first is Frank Baxter, the man who started PianoWorld and gave us this home-away-from-home where we can share our love for piano and music, and the other is Mr Super-Hunky, the man who came up with the brilliant idea of holding the online recitals in the first place. So, with no further ado, it is my pleasure to introduce:





Frank Baxter --- Founder of PianoWorld



First, CONGRATULATIONS! To everyone involved in the ABF, and particularly to those who have participated

in the recitals over the years, you are to be commended for showing the world there are still lots of people who love the piano, and

that they can put all other differences aside and get along because of their shared love of the instrument, the music, and the people!



A few words about the 50th recital milestone! ok more than a few (I'm known for rambling on, please bear with me)...



I started Piano World as a hobby over twenty years ago. I had discovered the Internet (oh wait, that was Al Gore wasn't it?) and

was fascinated by the ability to reach out to people across the country and around the world. My father was a Ham operator (those

of you too young to know, look it up) and the Internet reminded me of this.



A few people happened to stumble upon my posts (back then it was at something like

asked me some questions which got me thinking about other things I could post. The more I posted, the more people came around to visit

and interact (you can see some posts from 1999, 2000 here:



That's when I started thinking just maybe Piano World (it was called All About Pianos in the early days) could make a small difference in, well, the piano world. I've loved the piano as long as I can remember (which some days is about 2 hours, but that's another story). My goal has

always been to get others interested, and help those who want to learn to play, fix, restore, buy, sell, ... pianos.



Today the one area of Piano World I am most proud of is our forums. I love that so many people gravitate to our forums and participate in

conversations (or lurk, as I know many of you do). And the forum I'm most proud of is the ABF. The ABF was spun off from another forum

years ago, as a place where adults could feel comfortable whether they were just beginning their journey, or returning to it after a many

year absence.



And I'm particularly proud of you folks for creating and maintaining the recitals, Bravo!

Imagine, the 50th recital! Wow! Now that's a milestone you can all be proud of.



For anyone who doubts they can learn to play the piano, or that they can "perform in front of others", this is the living proof.

And I love that you all encourage each other, it isn't a contest, you aren't being judged, it's encouragement and fun, just what

piano playing should be.



Kathy and I have had the privilege of attending piano parties all across the U.S. and even some in Europe.

The premise is the same as the recitals, it's to have fun and share your love of piano with others, period!



In closing (I know, you thought I'd never get there) I want to thank all of you for being kind to one another and for

making Piano World, and the piano world a better place.



Looking forward to the next 50!



All the Best,

Frank and Kathy

From Piano World Headquarters in Parsonsfield Maine







Mr Super-Hunky --- Creator of the AB Forum Recitals



From our modest beginnings of just trying to figure out how to post a 'compilation of members recordings', to the well oiled [and administered] machine that it is today, our Adult Beginner Forums "Beginners and Beyond" quarterly online recitals have come a long way.



It was through the combined efforts of many ABF members who contributed their time and talents over the past twelve years to enable these quarterly recitals to evolve into the huge success that it is today featuring over 500 performers from all over the world. This is something that everyone involved, from the administrators to the performers, can be very proud of.



It has been said that "Music is what feelings sound like", and that statement couldn't be more true after listening to the amount of thoughtful effort and emotional input that goes into each and every ABF recital submission from our members. We truly are a unique group of people who have realized that our musical journey IS our destination!



Looking forward to the next twelve years as the journey continues..



Mr Super-Hunky.



We have a special treat before we launch into the usual instructions and, of course, the music. Because this is such a major milestone in the history of the recitals, we asked two special individuals to give us their thoughts on this event. The first is Frank Baxter, the man who started PianoWorld and gave us this home-away-from-home where we can share our love for piano and music, and the other is Mr Super-Hunky, the man who came up with the brilliant idea of holding the online recitals in the first place. So, with no further ado, it is my pleasure to introduce:First, CONGRATULATIONS! To everyone involved in the ABF, and particularly to those who have participatedin the recitals over the years, you are to be commended for showing the world there are still lots of people who love the piano, andthat they can put all other differences aside and get along because of their shared love of the instrument, the music, and the people!A few words about the 50th recital milestone! ok more than a few (I'm known for rambling on, please bear with me)...I started Piano World as a hobby over twenty years ago. I had discovered the Internet (oh wait, that was Al Gore wasn't it?) andwas fascinated by the ability to reach out to people across the country and around the world. My father was a Ham operator (thoseof you too young to know, look it up) and the Internet reminded me of this.A few people happened to stumble upon my posts (back then it was at something like http:/ / www.tiac.net/ users/ pianos/ ... ) and theyasked me some questions which got me thinking about other things I could post. The more I posted, the more people came around to visitand interact (you can see some posts from 1999, 2000 here: forum.pianoworld.com/ ubbthreads.php/ topics/ 919373/ forums-nostalgia.html That's when I started thinking just maybe Piano World (it was called All About Pianos in the early days) could make a small difference in, well, the piano world. I've loved the piano as long as I can remember (which some days is about 2 hours, but that's another story). My goal hasalways been to get others interested, and help those who want to learn to play, fix, restore, buy, sell, ... pianos.Today the one area of Piano World I am most proud of is our forums. I love that so many people gravitate to our forums and participate inconversations (or lurk, as I know many of you do). And the forum I'm most proud of is the ABF. The ABF was spun off from another forumyears ago, as a place where adults could feel comfortable whether they were just beginning their journey, or returning to it after a manyyear absence.And I'm particularly proud of you folks for creating and maintaining the recitals, Bravo!Imagine, the 50th recital! Wow! Now that's a milestone you can all be proud of.For anyone who doubts they can learn to play the piano, or that they can "perform in front of others", this is the living proof.And I love that you all encourage each other, it isn't a contest, you aren't being judged, it's encouragement and fun, just whatpiano playing should be.Kathy and I have had the privilege of attending piano parties all across the U.S. and even some in Europe.The premise is the same as the recitals, it's to have fun and share your love of piano with others, period!In closing (I know, you thought I'd never get there) I want to thank all of you for being kind to one another and formaking Piano World, and the piano world a better place.Looking forward to the next 50!All the Best,Frank and KathyFrom Piano World Headquarters in Parsonsfield MaineFrom our modest beginnings of just trying to figure out how to post a 'compilation of members recordings', to the well oiled [and administered] machine that it is today, our Adult Beginner Forums "Beginners and Beyond" quarterly online recitals have come a long way.It was through the combined efforts of many ABF members who contributed their time and talents over the past twelve years to enable these quarterly recitals to evolve into the huge success that it is today featuring over 500 performers from all over the world. This is something that everyone involved, from the administrators to the performers, can be very proud of.It has been said that "Music is what feelings sound like", and that statement couldn't be more true after listening to the amount of thoughtful effort and emotional input that goes into each and every ABF recital submission from our members. We truly are a unique group of people who have realized that our musical journey IS our destination!Looking forward to the next twelve years as the journey continues..Mr Super-Hunky.

