Concord Conservatory of MusicConcord Conservatory of Music
For the past four weeks, an extraordinary transformation took place across Concord. Ordinary sidewalks, walking paths, and museum plazas became open-air concert halls. Vibrant, hand-painted pianos popped up in public spaces, inviting anyone and everyone to pause, sit down, and play.
As our Pianos on the Town project officially wrapped up on Friday, June 26th, we are looking back at a month filled with community connection, spontaneous duets, and incredible local artistry. This project served as the finale to our 20th anniversary season, wrapping up a monumental year of celebrating two decades of music, education, and community at CCM. From toddlers striking their very first notes to seasoned musicians delivering jaw-dropping performances under the open sky, these instruments truly brought our anniversary celebrations to life “in the wild.”
Bringing an ambitious public art installation like this to life takes a village. Beyond the incredible artists who painted the cases and the site hosts who protected them, it was our dedicated network of volunteers who kept the music alive every day.
Among those keeping a watchful eye on our street pianos was long-time CCM family supporter Rebecca Tubbs. When we asked her about her experience protecting these instruments and why volunteering for community arts matters so deeply, she shared a sentiment that beautifully captures the soul of this entire project:
“We do this for CCM as a whole, and will do whenever/wherever we can because it’s something we can do to help a cause we believe in, the vitality and extraordinary impact of music as an art that forms and belongs at the center of a community to the betterment for all its members. Music, simply by being, nourishes, grows, heals, and inspires.”
It is that spirit of giving back that allowed our neighborhood to enjoy these beautiful musical hubs all month long.
It wasn’t just our volunteers who noticed the magic taking over the town; our incredible site hosts had a front-row seat to the daily joy these instruments sparked. The Umbrella Arts Center served as one of our vibrant piano homes this month, and the team there watched their plaza transform into a buzzing community hub.
“The front of our building became a true invitation for creativity and play this month between the gorgeous piano, an outdoor sculpture installation, and the warm, sunny weather,” says Kelby Siddons of The Umbrella. “An easy joy.”
For Kelby, the most impactful moments weren’t just the scheduled events, but the anonymous, spontaneous melodies that drifted through the air when no one was looking.
“One day as I was walking to my car after exiting the Center, I heard this lush, delightful piece of music resonating across the lot from the front of the building,” Kelby shared. “I never saw who it was, but I assume it was a parent who was coming to pick up their child from a class, as I also heard the laughter of children layered with the music. While I never saw the tableau visually, the story of sunshine, piano notes, and laughter will stay with me as one of those moments that makes me happy to work and live in Concord.”
That break from the ordinary is exactly why public art matters. In a world that often feels scripted by routine and distracted by screens, projects like Pianos on the Town offer a rare, collective breath of fresh air. As Kelby puts it, “Such invitations to both pause and listen, as well as create and play in the moment—whether serendipitous or scheduled—are essential to our humanity, vitality, and joy.”
June was a whirlwind of live music, featuring a stellar lineup of faculty pop-ups, community celebrations, and student showcases. Here is a look back at the incredible moments that defined our musical trail this month:
Week 1: High Notes and Community Pride
The project launched with absolute elegance on Friday, June 5th, as faculty member Yelena Beriyeva treated passersby to an afternoon pop-up concert right outside the Visitor’s Center and Middlesex Bank. The performance set the perfect tone for the weeks to come!
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The very next morning, Saturday, June 6th, the music moved to The Umbrella Arts Center. Faculty members Kayleigh Bennett and Leah Kosch provided a vibrant, energetic soundtrack for the Concord Pride Parade Launch, sending marchers off with a beautiful sense of unity and celebration.
While New England weather kept us on our toes, the excitement for the weeks ahead was undeniable.
Week 2: From Museums to Interactive Lessons
Our second week brought music to entirely new spaces. On Thursday, June 11th, faculty member William Kim delivered a captivating faculty pop-up at the Guitar Museum of New England. The momentum continued the next afternoon, Friday, June 12th, when Philipp Stäudlin and faculty member Yoko Hagino brought a saxophone-and-piano duo to the beautiful grounds of the Concord Museum.
But it wasn’t just about watching the pros. On Saturday, June 13th, William Kim headed over to the Hunt Recreation Center for our Drop-In Piano Lessons. It was magical watching community members of all ages and skill levels step up to the keys to learn a few chords, try a new melody, and experience the joy of making music firsthand.
Week 3: Evening Serenades and Student Spotlights
As the days grew longer, we brought a special twilight energy to town. On Friday evening, June 19th, Jackson Carruthers performed for a bustling Walden Street audience with a faculty pop-up concert, providing the perfect soundtrack for a warm June night.
The grand finale of our event calendar took place on Saturday, June 20th, with our CCM Student Showcase at the Umbrella Arts Center. Our young musicians stepped out of the traditional recital hall and into the great outdoors, adapting beautifully to the natural elements.
The unique setting left a lasting impression on our CCM student performers:
Oliver loved the change of scenery, noting, “It was fun playing in such a peaceful outdoor location!”
Elliott felt a unique connection to the environment, sharing, “The nature made the music feel more alive!”
While our scheduled performances were spectacular, some of the most beautiful moments happened entirely in secret. We have been so moved by the photos and videos shared by community members tracking their journeys along our musical trail map.
We saw business professionals stopping for a quick Bach prelude on their lunch break, children pointing out the colorful artwork on the piano frames, and families walking the trail together to find every single instrument.
Thank you to our sponsors, our lead sponsor Middlesex Savings Bank, and of especially to everyone who played, listened, volunteered, and protected these instruments. While the pianos are gone, the vibrant sense of community will stay with us all year long!
2026-2027 Concert and Speaker Series Sneak PeekÂ
Music & Beer
Friday, October 2, 2026 (Time coming soon!)
HAAS Duo
Friday, October 30, 2026 at 7:30 pm
Marvento Duo *Family Concert*
Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 11:00 am
Red Skies
Friday, January 29, 2027 at 7:30 pm
We are still finalizing a few exciting surprises, so stay tuned for more artist and speaker announcements. Full event details, program information, and ticket sales for the entire 2026–2027 season will be released very soon—keep an eye on your inbox!
Thank you to our sponsors!
We invite all music enthusiasts and businesses to sponsor our Concert & Lecture Series. If you’re interested, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Elaine Lawrence at Elawrence@ConcordConservatory.org. We would love to discuss how you can be part of this exciting series.
We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events!
Our Summer Upbeat 2026 is Available Online
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Download our Summer Upbeat 2026! This issue is packed with wonderful highlights, including a look back at our unforgettable 20th anniversary celebrations, a full recap of the Pianos on the Town project, and more.
Be the Reason Someone Experiences MusicÂ
Imagine the joy of a child learning their first instrument, the spark in a senior’s eye as they reconnect with cherished memories through music, or the strength in the voice of someone with Parkinson’s finding their melody.
You can make these moments possible with a gift to CCM.
By making your very first gift to CCM, you have the opportunity to:
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