"God has wrought many things out of oppression. He has endowed his creatures with the capacity to create—and from this capacity has flowed the sweet songs of sorrow and joy that have allowed man to cope with his environment and many different situations." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr Day, and the UMC's observation of Human Relations Sunday, Prosser United Methodist Church annually hosts a free concert, bringing the community together with music. Please join us at 1:30 PM on Monday, January 19, 2026, for a Classical Piano Recital presented by Keith Petersen and Piper Barton in the sanctuary of Prosser United Methodist Church. This concert will feature works by Debussy, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov and Chopin.
About the Pianists:
Keith Petersen grew up on a corn farm in Burbank, WA, and began studying piano at age seven. Over the years, he took lessons from Piper Barton, Debbie Lindquist and Patti Robertson in the Tri-Cities.
Music became his growing passion and he continued studying piano under Judith Schoepflin at Whitworth University, where he graduated with a degree in Music (church music emphasis). When Keith is not testing and repairing backflow valves, you will find him playing the piano.
Piper Barton graduated from Washington State University with a degree in Piano Performance/Liberal Arts. She returned to the Tri-Cities and began her career as a piano teacher. Keith was one of her students from 1993-1996. Now, 30 years later, Piper will join Keith in performing four selections from Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite."
A note from Keith: Sometimes life is excruciatingly painful. Rachmaninov's 2nd Piano Concerto in C-minor (1st movement) has been a source of healing for me. It has enabled me to scream with rage, to swirl in the tornado of fears and despair, to feel the rain falling with the sunlight peeking through dark clouds, to rest quietly while soaking in the soothing sounds of cellos and a French horn, to witness a flower's effortless bloom, and to rise like an eagle soaring on warm air currents, tasting divine pleasure and gaining eternal perspective. These are a few ways this piece has touched my soul. I believe everyone is going through some storm in life. And I believe the deeper the struggle, the deeper potential for healing this piece can bring to the soul. I greatly look forward to sharing these pieces with you, especially the Rachmaninov.
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