Kiwanis program secures pianos

Saf Canja (left) and Jody Henderson thanked Jim Hanson for two pianos. photo by Jim Mitchell A few weeks ago a new baby grand piano arrived at Sisters High School, contributed by the Snowman Foundation. Last Friday two more pianos arrived in town, donated by Jim Hanson of Bend.

Hanson does everything related to pianos -- restoration, moving and storage, rentals, tuning, etc. Hanson donated the two baby grand pianos to the Jazz Festival's "Keys for Kids" program.

Because of their size, neither was appropriate for placement in a home, so one was placed in the high school band room and one in the SOAR teen center. Hanson refurbished both with funds donated to "Keys for Kids." The first major contribution was from the Kiwanis Club of Sisters.

In 1991 the Jazz Festival started specifically to "promote the appreciation of music in general and specifically jazz among the young people." This year "Keys for Kids" was established with the intent to make pianos available where needed, especially to youth who do not otherwise have the means to obtain one. The program will also make available subsidies for piano lessons.

Saf Canja heads the "Keys for Kids" effort.

Two more pianos have been donated and are awaiting funds for restoration. They are both uprights and appropriate for placement in private homes. Jody Henderson, Sisters School District Band Director, will head up a group to evaluate the capabilities and needs of prospective youth.

To donate a piano, contact Saf Canja at 549-1175 or 390-8359.

Tax-deductible donations can be made to the Sisters Jazz Festival Foundation, P.O. Box 248, Sisters, OR 97759.