by Genevieve Gwynne
After many years the faithful grand piano at St. Matthew’s in Sidney began to show its age. Several music ministers continued to blue-sky about getting a new one, but the parish lacked the funds. Quality grands often cost five or six figures.
One Sunday in 2011 my husband and I were in Billings and decided to celebrate Mass at Pius X. During the service I noticed their grand piano’s beautiful tone. After Mass, while waiting to thank the musicians, I overheard a conversation about their happiness that a new grand piano was on the horizon, yet sadness that the 60-year-old Baldwin would disappear.
Flash thought—move it to Sidney! Soon I was talking to the pastor (the late Fr. Steve Tokarski) about buying it. Oddly, he seemed to be expecting me. He told me whom to contact about the sale, and after a few weeks of mild haggling, the Baldwin was mine.
Two months later it graced our TV room. A concert pianist had carted it 250-plus miles and set it up. My husband had thought it wouldn’t fit until a music minister convinced him it would.
Over the next six years it sat unused except for my banging out notes of songs assigned for occasional cantoring. I hung on, waiting for signs of what to do; no one I had spoken to had wanted it, even as a donation. And then a series of surprising events—those desired signs—answered my question.
In May 2017 the friend who had argued for the purchase sent me a text. The day before, Sidney High School’s grand piano had fallen off its transport frame and was broken beyond repair. They needed a replacement.
My friend thought they might purchase the Baldwin, but they wanted a new one. She offered to find the funds—four figures–to relocate the parish piano to the high school. St. Matthew’s could then afford a new one—the Baldwin, I hoped.
I had dreamed of the Baldwin’s being a part of St. Matthew’s music ministry. And a few weeks later, it happened; a parish team moved St. Matthew’s piano to the high school, then moved the Baldwin to the church. So my dream was realized.
I have found that realization of a dream is built on patience, perseverance, and timing—and, so clear in this case, an openness to rapid change. There is also a lesson about passing the torch of stewardship. An important component of the Eucharistic celebration has moved from a large urban parish to be cared for by a small rural faith community. To me such sharing reinforces the feeling of connectedness crucial to the widespread Diocese of Great Falls-Billings.
Now it seems the Baldwin has always been at St. Matthew’s. I hope that when you visit our town, you can take time to celebrate with us—and hear its song of joy.
Pictures courtesy of Genevieve Gwynne
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