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The PianoForte Foundation (PFF) is a non-profit organization that presents classical and jazz piano concerts in Chicago, Illinois^[1]. Established in 2005 by piano dealer Thomas Zoells, the PianoForte Foundation presents over 60 concerts each year in downtown Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.

History

Thomas Zoells established the PianoForte Foundation in April 2005, one year after he opened PianoForte Chicago, a piano sales business^[2]. As an extension of his business, Mr. Zoells began organizing a concert series which led to the PianoForte Foundation, an independent, non-profit, separately incorporated entity.

The PianoForte Foundation's concerts are held at three venues:

The Fine Arts Building, the PianoForte Foundation’s first venue, it was the original Studebaker carriage manufacturing building and was converted into a building of artists’ studios between 1897 and 1898^[3].
Sherwood Community Music School at Columbia College Chicago, an urban center for collective community music education in Chicago for people of all ages^[4]. Weekly PianoForte events occure at Sherwood's recital hall.
The Mayslake Peabody Estate, a part of the Mayslake Forest Reserve, it was designed by renowned Chicago architect Benjamin H. Marshall. It is being restored and is open to the public for tours and events^[5].

Series

Concerts are organized into several series that run from September to June:

Schubertiade Chicago, the trademark series of the PianoForte Foundation and the only such event in the greater Chicago area, it is a free all-day marathon festival celebrating the music of Franz Schubert^[6].
PianoForte Salon Series at Columbia College Chicago, a free weekly concert broadcast on WFMT 98.7 and sponsored by Columbia College Chicago.
Jazz Salon, jazz piano concerts presented at PianoForte’s studio in the Fine Arts Building.
WDCB Jazz Salon at Mayslake, a weekly broadcast of solo and ensemble jazz artists on WDCB 90.9 from the Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook, IL.
Pure Piano, a monthly series of classical soloists presented at PianoForte’s studio in the Fine Arts Building.
Piano Plus, a monthly series of chamber ensembles at PianoForte’s studio in the Fine Arts Building.
Television Series on the city of Chicago’s Cable 25.
The Experimental Piano Series, consists of concerts by innovators in today’s world of experimental piano, and includes music that is influenced and informed by jazz, new music, classical music, world music, and other genres^[7].

Community/Educational Involvement

Gift of Pianos Program is a joint effort by the PianoForte Foundation and the Chicago chapter of the Piano Technicians Guild (PTG) to refurbish donated pianos and place them in schools, churches, and community institutions that lack resources but need a quality instrument^[8].
Jazz Masterclass Series, started in September 2007, gives young jazz artists opportunities to interact with professional jazz pianists.

Chicago Amateur Piano Competition

Chicago Amateur Piano Competition, the first contest in the Midwest honoring the fundamental role amateur pianists have in promoting the piano and its repertoire. Held at Sherwood Community Music School at Columbia College Chicago, consisting of competition rounds, guest lectures, masterclasses, and social events^[9].

Collaborations and Awards

The PianoForte Foundation has collaborated with such Chicago arts organizations as CUBE, Chicago Opera Theater, the Chicago Composers Forum, and many more. In 2008, PFF collaborated with the International Beethoven Project to present the world premiere of a rediscovered Beethoven piano trio. The PianoForte Foundation was honored with the 2009 William Hall Sherwood Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Arts, for its role in bringing awareness and appreciation of piano repertoire and performance in Chicago^[10].

References

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PianoForte Foundation, “Gift of Pianos Program”, http://www.pianofortefoundation.org/

Hasbrouck, John. “The Book of the Fine Arts Building”. The Prairie Avenue Bookshop, Chicago, (2008)

Sherwood Community Music School, “About Us”, http://www.colum.edu/sherwood/About_Sherwood/index.php

Mayslake Peabody Estate, “About Us”, http://mayslakepeabody.com/content/

Chicago Amateur Piano Competition, "About", http://chicagopianocompetition.org

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