MH:  History ~ When was the Crescendos formed, by whom and for what purpose? How did the group get its name?

JSW:  The Crescendos was formed in 1993 by an accomplished pianist and music lover named Jean Adams. This was the second piano group that Jean formed in Naples. The first was the Pianofortes. As word of mouth spread about the group, others became interested in joining. Since the first group already had over 20 members, Jean decided to form a second group, which became known as the Crescendos. In 1998, Jean formed a third group, called the Legatos. In each case, members chose the name for their group. The purpose of all three groups is the same: to provide members with an opportunity to perform for each other and to share their love of music.

MH:  Members ~ How do members find out about Crescendos? Do you have a limit on number of members? What are the commonalities and differences of the members? Do members have problems with time restraints and logistics in attending meetings?

JSW:  Most new members are recommended by current members or find out about the group through word-of-mouth. Some learned about the group through the Naples Music Club, which sponsors the three piano groups as well as new performance groups for vocalists and instrumentalists. I learned about the Crescendos through my piano teacher, Irene Moore, who sponsored me and other members. Membership in the Crescendos is limited to 12 or 13 individuals. We feel that this number preserves the intimacy of the group while ensuring sufficient time for everyone to play at each meeting. The group is varied. Many members are very accomplished pianists and are, in fact, former or current piano teachers. Others began to study piano seriously only a few years ago. Some play only for our group. Others perform widely at other venues. Some spend several hours a day at the piano. Others can find only a few minutes each day. Our ages cover a wide range. Plus we have very different personalities. Yet we have become close friends, because of the more important things we have in common. We all share a deep love of music, a respect for each other's commitment and diligence, and a desire to play more beautifully, expressively, and musically, regardless of our current level of ability. Though members have a myriad of commitments, we all take our membership in the Crescendos very seriously and feel privileged to be a part of this group. We all plan our calendars so that we can attend as many meetings as possible.

MH:  Meetings ~ What is the format of your meetings? How long do they last? Does everyone play? Do you have a specific way of providing feedback and critique? Are pieces played that are finished/works in progress? Do you play a piece more than once (at different phases of learning)? Do you discuss specific problems/solutions/events/piano literature and articles of interest/anything else?

JSW:  The Crescendos meet from September through May, on the second Thursday of each month. Each meeting is at the home of a different member. Meetings start at 9:45 a.m. and last until 11:30 or noon. We generally start with some socializing and light refreshments provided by the hostess. Then, we select numbers out of a hat to determine the order in which we will play. Usually, everyone plays. We have set a general guideline for pieces no longer than 6 - 8 minutes, although this is flexible, particularly if two members have been working on a major duet (e.g., a concerto arrangement). Occasionally, we go to lunch together after a meeting, a practice that has helped our musical collaborations turn into friendships. People generally play finished pieces. We applaud after each performance. We do not criticize or critique each other's playing. The atmosphere is very supportive, and we focus on what went well in each performance. Members sometimes repeat works they played earlier, especially if they feel that further work has given them greater mastery over technical or musical challenges. Each season we select a different composer or composers on which we will focus. This means that each member generally plays a few pieces by this composer during the season. In previous years, we have studied Beethoven, Mozart, Bach and Baroque composers, Schubert and Schumann . We also try to play at least one piece by a 20th century composer each year, to enhance our appreciation of contemporary music. Next season we will emphasize Impressionistic music (Debussy, Ravel, Satie) and also honor Kurt Weill's anniversary. Often, members will play a piece by a lesser known composer (e.g., Amy Beach, Zdenko Fibich, John Field, William Gillock) and share biographical information about him/her with the group. As one example, I shared information with the group about SummerKeys, a music camp in Lubec, Maine run by Bruce Potterton, and five of us ended up going last summer (see Piano Forte spring issue). Members also bring in articles, reviews and other relevant information about music to share with the group.

MH:  Benefits. What have members gained from the group?