6th Annual First Ladies Piano Concert

Because it’s not something you hear every day.

It’s called a piano orchestra. And around here, it’s become one of those things people look forward to each spring.

At the center of it all is Pat Baker. A longtime music teacher who spent years in classrooms at Crane, Seymour, and later Nixa, passing along a love for music that clearly stuck.

“I loved teaching,” Baker said. “But I decided I’d rather play again.”

And that’s how this whole thing keeps going.

The Cherry Blossom Piano Festival is now in its sixth year. It started with an idea, a little bit of curiosity, and honestly, not a whole lot of certainty.

“I had no idea what I was doing,” Baker said with a laugh.

The concept is simple on paper. Get multiple pianists together. Pair them up. Have them play four-hand piano pieces. Then bring it all together at once.

Four-hand piano means two people sharing one piano. One takes the higher notes. The other handles the lower end. Sometimes hands cross. Sometimes elbows get close. It’s tight. It’s coordinated. And when it clicks, it’s something else.

Now multiply that by several pianos all playing together.

“There’s not a lot of this out there,” Baker said. “It’s hard to even find the music sometimes.”

So they piece it together. Find arrangements. Adjust where needed. Practice on their own first, then come together for a handful of rehearsals.

This year’s group was led by a new director, Cathy Coonis, who Baker says has been a great fit. That’s part of the evolution. Different people stepping in, adding their touch, keeping things fresh.

Baker’s own taste in music is pretty wide open. Ask for a favorite, and you won’t get a straight answer.

“I like it all,” she said. “As long as it’s played well.”

She leans toward melody. Harmony. Something that feels put together, not just loud for the sake of it. He mentioned listening to groups like The Isaacs in the mornings. Simple. Clean. Strong harmonies.

It’s not about showing off. It’s about blending. Listening. Finding your part and making it fit with everyone else.

You’ll see it in the crowd, too. People stop. Tilt their heads a little. Try to figure out how all those pianos are staying together.

After years of teaching, he’s still right there in the middle of it. Still playing. Still enjoying it.

And still helping create something that makes people pause for a minute.