When Rotarian Joseph Bias suggested that Rotary, along with First United Methodist Church, help launch the father-son piano career of Donald Ryan and Barron Ryan, people jumped on board. It was icing on the cake that the Crescendo Music Awards Endowment was named the beneficiary of proceeds from the event.

With the support of Rotarian Wade Paschal, who is senior minister at First Methodist, and the Rotary board, the event was planned for months. Mirrored Pianos: The Musical Magic of Ryan & Ryan was held on Friday evening, September 18, in the church's Youth & Family Center. The concert was preceded by a catered dinner by chef Kenny Duncan.

Donald, an accomplished pianist who has played in Carnegie Hall and with noted artists around the world, and Barron, a National Merit Scholarship and recent honors piano graduate from OU, performed variety of jazz, classical, and inspirational selections. An audience of 500 thundered applause and appreciation for the pair.

Through special consideration of Past-President Bob Saied and Saied Music Company, twin nine-foot Steinways were showcased in the youth center that was turned into an exquisite concert hall.  

The event committee, chaired by Past-President Tim Colwell, arranged to have the concert recorded for the creation of CDs and a DVD to help the Ryans promote their concert and appearance series as a performing father-son duo.

President Del Dreyer welcomed those attending and Wade provided the invocation. Joseph told about the success of the Crescendos, the annual competition for aspiring student musicians who travel to Tulsa to compete for prize money. The 2010 Crescendos will be held March 11-13, with a finalists concert to held the last night at TCC's Van Trease PACE Auditorium.

"Both Donald and Barron have been great supporters of the Crescendos," said Tim. "Donald has been a long-time judge in the piano competition, and Barron was a two-time participant in the piano competition."

Tim thanked Wade and First Methodist, and Rotarians who bought tables and tickets to the event.

Serving with Tim and Joseph on the organizing committee were Rotarians Jerry Muratore, this year's chair of the Crescendo Music Awards; Wanda Hartman; Past-President Cory Nickerson; and John Roush. Club executive director Donna Mercier also served on the committee, and club administrative assistant Jane Stewart contributed greatly to the success of the event.