On Sunday, September 27, in celebration of its inaugural Pianists in Recital series, Princeton University Concerts (PUC) will host an all-day Community Piano Jam in historic Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall on the Princeton University campus. The first event of its kind in PUC’s 133-year history, pianists of all ages and experience levels are invited to take a turn at the keys and play a short work of any genre on the hall’s renowned Steinway grand piano throughout the day (10 a.m.-7 p.m.). The atmosphere is informal and welcoming—not a performance, but an opportunity to play in a beautiful setting and share the joy of making music with fellow piano enthusiasts.
The festivities will be punctuated by appearances from an exciting lineup of professional guest pianists, including Princeton University Concerts artist Gregg Kallor, up-and-coming star Clayton Stephenson, and Princeton University Department of Music performance faculty Margaret Kampmeier and Francine Kay.
Participation is free, but advance registration is required for pianists. Due to limited capacity, player participation will be confirmed by lottery. Audience members are welcome to drop in throughout the day—no tickets or registration required.
Princeton University Concerts’ Annual Chamber Jam has been an opportunity for amateur musicians of all ages and levels to make music alongside professional artists. Past participants include members of the Berlin Philharmonic with conductor Gustavo Dudamel, Chicago Symphony Winds, East Coast Chamber Orchestra, Escher String Quartet, St. Lawrence String Quartet, Takács String Quartet, Tenebrae Choir, and Chanticleer Vocal Ensemble. This season will be the first-ever piano jam!
“Every year, the Chamber Jam reminds us what music is really about,” says PUC Director Marna Seltzer, “with amateurs and professionals side by side, playing for the pure joy of it. This year we’re celebrating that spirit in a new way — for the first time, the piano takes center stage, as we launch our 26/27 Season and our brand new Pianists in Recital series. And what better place to do it than Richardson Auditorium, where some of the world’s greatest pianists, including Jonathan Biss, Hélène Grimaud, Murray Perahia, Víkingur Ólafsson, Igor Levit, Paul Lewis, and Mitsuko Uchida (to name a few), have played? We look forward to opening our doors and sharing our exceptional piano with pianists of every age and ability!”
Other community events as part of PUC’s 2027-28 lineup include free Live Music Meditations, documentary screenings at the Princeton Garden Theater, free book discussions hosted by the Princeton Public Library, and Do-Re-Meet social events for music lovers. More information is available at puc.princeton.edu.
