Historic piano makes it way to MHS

By Rob Busweiler

The brand new auditorium at Marathon High School now has a piece of music history sitting in its wings.

The piece is a 7-foot concert grand piano that was donated by part-time Key Colony Beach resident John Rudolph. In addition to being a fixture in the local arts scene, Rudolph has performed across the world. He and his friend Charles Lindberg, a two-time winner of the New York City’s entertainer of the year award, will be putting on a show at MHS on Oct. 24.

Rudolph told us on Thursday the inspiration for the piano donation came when he was setting up the show.

“I just kept thinking to myself that the school doesn’t have a piano,” he said.

The piano, which is about 70 years old, was sitting in one of Rudolph’s vacation homes before he decided to give it to Marathon. Prior to Rudolph purchasing the piano at an estate sale, it resided at the historic Philadelphia Academy of Music.

“This is a better home for it,” he said.

Tickets for Rudolph and Lindberg’s show can be bought online at www.keystix.com or by calling 305-295-7676