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Piano dedicated at arts center

Concert pianist Slavik Gabinsky performed a dedicatory recital for the Steinway Concert Grand Piano at the Centre for Performing and Visual Arts of Coweta County on Sunday, during a concert dedicated to Senoian Tom McKeehan.

Gabrinsky performed pieces by Chopin, Mozart, Rachmaninoff and Prokofieff before a local audience, at the 3 p.m. dedicatory recital.

It was the first performance on the Centre’s Steinway Model D Grand Piano since it was received in June.Ê Gabinsky's recital was dedicated to the late Tom McKeehan of Senoia, in whose name the piano was donated in April.

Members of McKeehan’s family were in attendance for Gabinsky’s performance, as well as a performance of the Man of la Mancha’s “The Impossible Dream” by William Killmeier and accompanist David Kinrade.

Local attorney Leah Sumner remembered McKeehan at the outset of the program.Ê Sumner noted McKeehan’s upbringing in LaGrange, his early aspirations to the ministry, his service in the U.S. Navy, and then his education at LaGrange College, where he first found a love of theater.

McKeehan eventually settled in New York, where he was a successful theatrical stage manager, and enjoyed friendships with Tenessee Williams, Mae West, Eva and Zsa Zsa Gabor, and Margaret Truman.Ê McKeehan retired from theater and sold his New York Antiques business in 1988 and moved to Senoia, where he purchased the 1907 Hand-Johnson home and became well-known for helping organize the Senoia Historical Society progressive dinners and engaging in and supporting a number of community causes.

After McKeehan’s death last year, the Bank of New York agreed to donate the funds for the Steinway from a trust fund established by McKeehan.Ê Sumner said that the gift is greatly appreciated and a fitting way to remember McKeehan.Ê Just as McKeehan was always generous with his friends and community, the Steinway is a gift to the centre and the school system that will benefit the community for generations, she said.

“We know you have your wings today, Tom, and we know you are smiling down on this instrument,” said Sumner.

Sunday’s concert concluded with “Raymond’s Song” sung as a tribute to McKeehan.

Slavik Gabinsky performs on the Steinway Concert Grand Piano before an audience at the Centre for the Performing and Visual Arts on Sunday, September 26.