McGlamery piano finds new home at BAYarts

Dr. James McGlamery donated this Chickering baby grand piano to BAYarts.

The year was 1907, and Northeast Ohio resident Pearl Sebold had just won Ohio’s “most beautiful woman” contest through the Cleveland Leader newspaper. Imagine Pearl sitting down to play her brand-new Chickering baby grand piano while she reveled in her good fortune.

Flash forward 115 years later. Former Normandy School principal, Dr. James McGlamery, who had purchased the piano from the Sebold family many years ago, wanted to donate his beloved family baby grand to an organization where it would be put to good use by a new generation. Devon Gess, Bay High School’s music teacher, who is helping BAYarts develop music programs, made the connection.

Now regally situated next to the old stone fireplace in what is now called the Hearth Room of the Playhouse, the historic piano will help BAYarts ring in its 75th anniversary festivities next year.  An exhibition of the incredible history of the organization will be on display in 2023. If you have a memory, a souvenir or story to share about BAYarts, Baycrafters, or the Huntington Playhouse, please let us know! Contact me at beth@bayarts.net.  

In the meantime, BAYarts' summer season is around the corner, come say hello!

Elizabeth Milli

General Manager at BAYarts

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Volume 14, Issue 7, Posted 10:56 AM, 04.05.2022