ArtistDirect News
Paducah Symphony Orchestra Celebrates 250 Years of American Music with Remote-Controlled Piano Concert and Ice Cream Social
When the keys of a Steinway Spirio player piano flicker to life in Paducah’s Symphony Hall, the city will hear a century‑spanning soundtrack, all without a pianist in the room. On Thursday, July 9, the Paducah Symphony Orchestra (PSO) will open its David and Carolyn Perry Spirio Series with a free 45‑minute concert that will be followed by an ice‑cream social.
The event, set to begin at 5:30 p.m., will feature a program curated by the PSO and performed entirely by a Steinway & Sons Spirio Player Piano. According to PSO CEO Reece King, the instrument is “just a regular piano, other than it has Bluetooth technology in the piano, which allows it to transmit data across the internet.” King explained that the technology lets the piano play exactly what a pianist is playing on a Spirio elsewhere in the world, eliminating the need for a live performer to travel to Paducah.
Unlike the June Spirio concert, the July event will not be streamed live. Instead, the PSO has assembled a selection of pieces that span 250 years of American music. The program will move from Scott Joplin’s “Maple Leaf Rag” to Leonard Bernstein’s orchestral works, and will even incorporate pop‑culture references such as music from the film Forrest Gump.
The concert is part of the PSO’s broader effort to celebrate the centennial of American music. The orchestra’s website notes that the event is free, or “pay what you wish” to support the organization. Tickets can be purchased online at tinyurl.com/d62ft3xh.
The Spirio Series began in 2024 and was originally slated to conclude after the summer. King said the series’ success has prompted the PSO to schedule another Spirio concert on August 6, though a theme has yet to be chosen. The orchestra also indicated that it may host additional events during the holiday season.
Steinway & Sons, founded in 1853, has long been a leading manufacturer of high‑end grand pianos. The company’s Spirio player pianos are described as “high‑resolution self‑playing pianos that bring the world’s finest artistry and engineering to your home or performance hall.” The technology is part of Steinway’s broader portfolio of innovations that include the company’s traditional acoustic pianos.
By leveraging remote playback, the PSO can present a diverse program without the logistical challenges of touring pianists. The use of the Spirio piano highlights the growing intersection of classical performance and digital technology, allowing the orchestra to deliver a wide range of repertoire in a single, compact venue.
After the 45‑minute performance, attendees will be invited to an ice‑cream social—a community‑focused activity that has become a regular feature of the PSO’s free concert series. The combination of a technologically enabled concert and a social gathering aims to attract a broad audience, including families and music enthusiasts.
The PSO’s initiative aligns with a broader trend of orchestras exploring new ways to engage audiences. By offering free, pay‑what‑you‑wish concerts, the PSO follows a model that has been adopted by several regional orchestras to increase accessibility.
In summary, the Paducah Symphony Orchestra will host a free, 45‑minute concert featuring a Steinway Spirio Player Piano on July 9, followed by an ice‑cream social. The program will celebrate 250 years of American music with a mix of jazz, classical, and pop‑culture pieces. Tickets are available online and can be purchased for free or with a donation. The PSO plans a second Spirio concert on August 6 and may add more events during the holiday season.
The event, set to begin at 5:30 p.m., will feature a program curated by the PSO and performed entirely by a Steinway & Sons Spirio Player Piano. According to PSO CEO Reece King, the instrument is “just a regular piano, other than it has Bluetooth technology in the piano, which allows it to transmit data across the internet.” King explained that the technology lets the piano play exactly what a pianist is playing on a Spirio elsewhere in the world, eliminating the need for a live performer to travel to Paducah.
Unlike the June Spirio concert, the July event will not be streamed live. Instead, the PSO has assembled a selection of pieces that span 250 years of American music. The program will move from Scott Joplin’s “Maple Leaf Rag” to Leonard Bernstein’s orchestral works, and will even incorporate pop‑culture references such as music from the film Forrest Gump.
The concert is part of the PSO’s broader effort to celebrate the centennial of American music. The orchestra’s website notes that the event is free, or “pay what you wish” to support the organization. Tickets can be purchased online at tinyurl.com/d62ft3xh.
The Spirio Series began in 2024 and was originally slated to conclude after the summer. King said the series’ success has prompted the PSO to schedule another Spirio concert on August 6, though a theme has yet to be chosen. The orchestra also indicated that it may host additional events during the holiday season.
Steinway & Sons, founded in 1853, has long been a leading manufacturer of high‑end grand pianos. The company’s Spirio player pianos are described as “high‑resolution self‑playing pianos that bring the world’s finest artistry and engineering to your home or performance hall.” The technology is part of Steinway’s broader portfolio of innovations that include the company’s traditional acoustic pianos.
By leveraging remote playback, the PSO can present a diverse program without the logistical challenges of touring pianists. The use of the Spirio piano highlights the growing intersection of classical performance and digital technology, allowing the orchestra to deliver a wide range of repertoire in a single, compact venue.
After the 45‑minute performance, attendees will be invited to an ice‑cream social—a community‑focused activity that has become a regular feature of the PSO’s free concert series. The combination of a technologically enabled concert and a social gathering aims to attract a broad audience, including families and music enthusiasts.
The PSO’s initiative aligns with a broader trend of orchestras exploring new ways to engage audiences. By offering free, pay‑what‑you‑wish concerts, the PSO follows a model that has been adopted by several regional orchestras to increase accessibility.
In summary, the Paducah Symphony Orchestra will host a free, 45‑minute concert featuring a Steinway Spirio Player Piano on July 9, followed by an ice‑cream social. The program will celebrate 250 years of American music with a mix of jazz, classical, and pop‑culture pieces. Tickets are available online and can be purchased for free or with a donation. The PSO plans a second Spirio concert on August 6 and may add more events during the holiday season.