Soirees Piano Series borrows from New Zealand

Pianist Justin Bird of New Zealand will perform as part of the Soirees Musicales series on Saturday at Shiloh Church in Harrison Twp.

Contributed photo Pianist Justin Bird of New Zealand will perform as part of the Soirees Musicales series on Saturday at Shiloh Church in Harrison Twp.

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By Khalid Moss, Staff Writer 5:12 PM Tuesday, February 16, 2010

For the third straight month Dayton’s Soirees Musicales Piano Series is presenting a pianist with a high international profile. In December 2009 Soirees founder Don Hagaeman showcased the keyboard artistry of Danish pianist Jens Elvekjaer.

In January Cuban-born pianist Juana Zayas showed off her best Chopin.

On Saturday, Feb. 20, Justin Bird of New Zealand will be featured in a solo concert at 8 p.m. in the sanctuary of Shiloh Church.

“This will be Justin’s first time in Dayton,” Hageman said. “Whenever I hear somebody that I think is wonderful I try to schedule them for the series.”

Hageman first met Bird at a young artists competition in Cleveland, Tenn.

“That’s when I heard Justin and decided to schedule him,” Hageman said. “He was supposed to come last year but suffered a thumb injury and couldn’t perform, so we put him on the series this year.”

Bird was New Zealand’s young musician of the year in 2002. As a teenager he made appearances with the Auckland Philharmonic at the “Symphony Under the Stars” and “Starlight Symphony” concerts before more than 250,00 people.

Hageman announced that this is the final season for Soirees Musicales.

“I wanted to get Justin in this year because 2010 is the last season for the Soirees Musicales Piano Series,” Hageman said. “It’s our 40th year and our last. We decided a long time ago we would stop at 40.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2167 or kmoss@DaytonDailyNews.com.

How to go

What: Soirees Musicales Piano Series presents pianist Justin Bird

When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20

Where: Shiloh Church, 5300 Philadelphia Drive, Harrison Twp.

Cost: General admission $22, senior citizens $20, students (19-22) $12. Youth ages 18 and younger get in for free.

More information: (937) 228-5802 or visit www.soirees musicales.com

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