TULSA--The father-son duo of pianists Donald Ryan and Barron Ryan will launch their joint appearance career with a benefit concert “Mirrored Pianos: the Musical Magic of Ryan & Ryan.” The concert will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18, and will be presented at the Youth & Family Center of the First United Methodist Church, 1115 S. Boulder Ave.
The Ryans are planning a series of concerts and appearances in which the father--adjunct professor of piano at Oral Roberts University--and his son--a recent honors piano graduate of the University of Oklahoma--will perform classical, jazz and inspirational music.
Twin 9 ft. Steinway grand pianos will be on stage and a video production unit will create compact discs and digital video discs of the event.
The Rotary Club of Tulsa and First United Methodist are presenting the event.
Both Mr. Ryans have long been active in the church’s music ministry.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Rotary’s Crescendo Music Awards permanent endowment.
“We are excited to be part of Donald’s and Barron’s launch of their new career,” said Joseph Bias, minister of worship at First Methodist, who first introduced the concert idea to leaders at both the church and Rotary.
“This will be the ultimate evening of entertainment and dining.”
Rev. Bias, who is a long-time Rotarian, founded the Crescendo Music Awards, an annual competition of the Rotary Club of Tulsa that brings to Tulsa the nation’s most outstanding student musicians.
Donald Ryan has been a long-time judge and advisor to the Crescendo Music Awards and Barron Ryan took part in last spring’s Crescendo competition.
Tickets are $100 each for the dinner and concert. Concert-only tickets are $25.
Patron level supporters receive additional benefits, including a pre-event reception where the Ryans will perform, tables with preferred seating, CD’s and DVD’s of the concert, valet parking and other items.
