Piano Concert Talks featuring David Rodgers

Standard Concerts Also Available (see below)

Designed for organizations interested in educational, enjoyable, and musical programming, Piano Concert Talks are a fantastic option to please audiences from young to old, and anywhere in between.

NOW AVAILABLE IN PERSON (based in metropolitan Detroit, MI, but traveling available), AND VIA ZOOM / IN-PERSON HYBRID for venues worldwide (see below for details).

Each Piano Concert Talk Features:

• Piano performances of songs and pieces on a given theme (see below)
• Cultural and historical fun facts and stories (approx. 10-15 minutes of info within an hour concert)
• Musical Trivia Questions
• Question and answer session

Standard Concerts are Also Available Featuring:

• Piano performances of songs and pieces on a given theme (see below)
• Minimal song info (a sentence or less between songs)

Piano Concert Talk / Standard Concert themes available now include:

• “The Evolution of the Beatles” – How the Beatles revolutionized popular music from their early days through the breakup of the band.
• “Music of the Motor City” – Highlights of music from Detroit in the 1960s, including The Temptations, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and more.
• “The Best of Broadway” – From the early days of Gershwin and Rodgers and Hammerstein, all the way through modern day hits, trace the steps of this American institution.
• “A Century of Love Songs” – Highlighting the history and evolution of popular love songs from the 1920s through the present day. (Great for Sweetest Day or Valentine’s Day programming, or anytime).
• “Folk Rock Revolution” – From Dylan and Jim Croce to Simon and Garfunkel, the poetic sounds of the sixties and seventies.
• “The Spectacular Sixties” – Featuring songs of the Rolling Stones and the Beach Boys through Righteous Brothers, Aretha Franklin, and much more, explore one of music’s most influential decades.
• “The Magic of the Holidays” *SEASONAL SHOW* – Featuring the best Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Years Music and their impact on the culture. (Great for November and December programming).
• “The Best of Disney and Children’s Music” *FAMILY SHOW* – From Pinochio and Cinderella to Frozen and Encanto, plus Baby Shark, the Chicken Dance, and more, bring kids for some sing/dance along fun!
• “A Taylor Swift Sing-Along” *TEEN AND/OR FAMILY SHOW* – Get ready to belt out your favorite T-Swift tunes, along with learning fun facts about the songs and some Swiftie Trivia.

Additional themes now available for Jewish organizations, and those interesting in highlighting Jewish history and culture, include:

• “The Best of Jewish and Israeli Music” – Cultural, historical, and religious music from Israel, Europe, and the United States.
• “Greatest Popular Hits of Jewish Composers” – From Gershwin to Diane Warren, how Jewish songsmiths shaped American culture.
• “Broadway from a Jewish Perspective” – From Rodgers and Hart through Stephen Schwartz, the impact of Jewish composers on Broadway.

SAMPLE VIDEO:

Testimonials:

“David’s Piano Concert Talk “The Evolution of the Beatles” was simply wonderful! David performed for the library’s adapted learners Social Club and was such a warm and engaging presenter. Looking forward to having him back in the fall.” – Katie Mitchell, Teen Services Librarian, Saline District Library, Saline, MI (“Evolution of the Beatles” Piano Concert Talk).

“David did an excellent job performing his Music of the Motor City piano talk at the Farmington Community Library! He was very knowledgeable about Motown and did a wonderful job playing the piano. We received many positive comments from attendees about how much they enjoyed the program. With regards to program planning, David was very easy to work with and was prompt and professional with communication. I’d be happy to have David return for a future piano talk.” – Anna Hay, Senior Outreach Librarian, Farmington Community Library, Farmington Hills, MI (“Music of the Motor City” Piano Concert Talk).

“Thank you for a lovely piano concert talk yesterday! It was entertaining, informative, and everyone enjoyed themselves. The library received multiple complimentary comments in response to the program saying that it was very interesting and they loved the music.” – Leigh Romano, Adult Services Librarian, Roseville Public Library, Roseville, MI (“Music of the Motor City” Piano Concert Talk).

“David was fantastic! Our patrons loved his performance and we’ve already set up a second one.” – Jacob Szpytek, Adult Services Librarian, Commerce Township Community Library (“Music of the Motor City” Piano Concert Talk)

“I had David do a library program for me and my patrons really enjoyed the program. The music David played was a great mix and he was very knowledgeable about the history of Motown.” – Lindsey Ellison, Adult Services Librarian, Auburn Hills Library, Auburn Hills, MI (“Music of the Motor City” Piano Concert Talk).

“David presented such a wonderful program for our library this weekend! He is a very talented pianist. I received emails from some participants that they really enjoyed it. I will certainly consider having him for future programs.” – Cindy McGuire, Programming/Marketing Coordinator, Leavenworth Public Library, Leavenworth, KS (“Evolution of the Beatles” Piano Concert Talk).

“We enjoyed working with David Rodgers to have him bring us virtually the “Best of Jewish and Israeli Music.” Because our audience was predominantly non-Jewish, he gave us added information to the songs to help us learn and enjoy his concert.” – Marlys Lien, Adult Programming Librarian, Council Bluffs Library, Council Bluffs, IA (“The Best of Jewish and Israeli Music” Piano Concert Talk).

“Our residents thoroughly enjoyed the concert when David performed at our senior facility last month. What they really appreciated about his performance (besides the fact he is a fabulous pianist) was the brief description he gave before each number. He offers such a variety of music and I am looking forward to having him back again.” – Gillian Faust Memory Care Life Enrichment Coordinator, Coville Assisted Living, Oak Park, MI (“Broadway from a Jewish Perspective” Piano Concert Talk)

“David Rodgers is an extremely talented pianist who performed at Hechtman Apartments for Seniors several times prior to Covid 19.  The residents and staff thoroughly enjoyed his music and at the end of the show, applauded and asked me to have him return.  David’s ability to play many genres of music and to engage the audience was definitely a plus.” – Libby Lavine, C.T.R.S., Former Program Coordinator, Hechtman Senior Residences, West Bloomfield, MI.

“David supported our congregation with his beautiful music. I found him reliable, responsive, and easy to work with. His repertoire ranged widely, and suited our services well.” – Rabbi Aura Ahuvia, Former Rabbi, Congregation Shir Tikvah, Troy, MI.

“Dave is a true professional: everything was smooth logistically (even the day after a snow storm at a country church) and his performance was flawless. We couldn’t have hoped for more. Thank you so much, Dave!” – Rachel Troutman, Northville, MI.

See additional reviews/testimonials on the Event Pianist page and the David Rodgers Pianist GigSalad page.

In-Person Hybrid Info:

• NEW In-Person Hybrid Format Available – David will perform over Zoom or online video to venues anywhere in the world, while attendees will come in person to see the show over a projector or large screen television. Interaction and questions work the same way as if David were in-person. These shows can also work for those remaining at home via online video link.

SAMPLE FLYER: