Orange County symphony does the piano in public places promotion

To promote their upcoming season, the Pacific Symphony Orchestra of Orange County, California, has placed 20 pianos, each painted by local artists, in public places in cities throughout the county. See "Painted pianos take to O.C. streets" from the Orange County Register."

This has been done in London, UK, and New York City as a public art initiative. But I think it's interesting how the local symphony is also using this idea to promote their season and audience building.

Pianos have been placed on the beach, at the county zoo, in shopping centers, buildings, and commercial districts.

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A couple weeks ago, the Post had an interesting article, "In the suburbs, more - and better - performing arts centers," about development and repositioning of arts groups in Washington's suburbs, how what they do complements and is different from how arts are marketed and offered in the center city, and how these organizations are working to develop their audiences (a/k/a marketing) in more focused ways.

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Jeff Buenviaje, of Norwalk, holds his 11-month old son Jeff Jr. as he bangs away on a piano at The Block at Orange Monday. Pacific Symphony is sponsoring the "OC Can You Play?" where about 20 pianos are placed in public spaces throughout the county. "Music makes everything better," Buenviaje said. H. LORREN AU JR., THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER