Photo Flash: Kretzer Piano Music Foundation Kicks Off GREAT GIVE 2015 with 9-Piano Serenade at The Colony

Today, 437 local nonprofit organizations will be seeking donations during the second annual, 24-hour GREAT GIVE, sponsored by the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties and the United Way of Palm Beach County. But yesterday, 10 of these nonprofits united for a musical overture to this year's GREAT GIVE as nine talented pianists simultaneously played nine painted pianos in the poolside Palm Court at The Colony Hotel, Palm Beach. Scroll down for photos!

The 10 participating nonprofit organizations were Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches, Center for Creative Education, Grandma's Place, Kretzer Piano Music Foundation, Lighthouse for the Blind, Opportunity, Inc., Quantum House, Salvation Army, Young Singers of the Palm Beaches and the YWCA.

The nine extraordinary pianists were Robin Arrigo, Shawn Berry, Jerry Crank, David Crohan, Copeland Davis, Wayne Hosford, Kathi Kretzer, Laurie McDonald and Betsy McHugh.

"The purpose of this fun and music-packed promotional event was to bring attention to GREAT GIVE, which raised more than $2.2 million for worthy local nonprofit organizations last year - an amount that we hope to greatly surpass in the 24-hour period starting at 5 pm today," says Kathi Kretzer.

The eye-dazzling pianos were all part of the Kretzer Piano Music Foundation's popular Keys to the Cities campaign in 2013, for which each was whimsically designed by a local artist and later donated to local charitable groups. Several of the artists were on hand for the GREAT GIVE serenade including Silvana Delbo, Sharon Koskoff and Frank Navarrete.

Kretzer Piano Music Foundation provides performance opportunities for young musicians by sponsoring music events and aid/scholarships for music instruction to children from low-income families. Among the programs it sponsors are The Kretzer Kids, a group of middle and high school music students that perform for nursing homes, assisted living facilities and prominent venues throughout Palm Beach and Martin Counties; the monthlyMusic for the Mind concerts at the Harriet Himmel Theater at CityPlace; and the annual Physicians Talent Showcase featuring musically gifted local physicians. For more information, visit www.kretzerpiano.com/KPMF.

Photo Credit: Corby Kaye's Studio Palm Beach

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