Job Description

Purpose and Responsibilities of Position: The Pianist position enhances our guests’ experience in two important ways: providing ambiance in The Museum Café via the playing of the historical piano and allowing the opportunity to share the piano’s rich history with museum guests. Pianists will have an initial briefing of the piano’s history and care by the Curator of Collections, Linda Moore. Following the initial briefing, players will report to the Visitor Experience Coordinator and Managers during their regular shifts. Between playing, we ask that players to be available to answer guests’ questions.

Teens ages 14- 17 please complete a Teen Application; Adults 18 and up please complete an Adult Application through FCMoD’s website.

History of the piano: This grand piano, with its distinctive bird’s eye maple veneer, was designed and built by William Knabe & Co. in the 1890s and was displayed at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. Prominent Fort Collins residents Abner Loomis, Frank Miller, Sr., F.W. Sherwood, and Peter Anderson purchased it and donated it to the Fort Collins Elk’s Club. After years in the Elk’s Club Lodge, the piano found a new home at Fort Collins Museum of Discovery. It has been refinished and restored by Chris Finger Pianos in Niwot, CO. The greatest care was taken to make this instrument sound as good (if not better) than when it was originally built. It is regularly tuned and cared for by a professional.

Guidelines for playing the Knabe piano:

• Open lid while playing, close once playing session is over
• No food or beverages on or around the piano
• No tip jars

Skills, knowledge, and qualities needed:

• Piano players must be at least 14 years old
• An at least intermediate piano playing skill level is requested
• Open to all genres of piano music, but must be able to play softly as many meetings take place in The Museum Café

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