ARCA Honors Dr. Arthur Steffee in Memorial Concert

Allegheny RiverStone Center for the Arts’ founder, president and beloved friend, DR. ARTHUR STEFFEE, was honored in a Memorial Concert on Sunday, October 27 for a capacity Lincoln Hall audience from all walks of life – family, medical colleagues and friends from the community – that gathered to remember their dear friend whose generosity, vision and love of music and art brought us together — in the concert venue he renovated, for the organization he founded, in the  village he built – in the most beautiful Allegheny-Clarion river valley that he loved.

The program was half classical and popular, featuring performers who were favorites of Arthur’s: Pianists David Allen Wehr and Cynthia Raim in Rachmaninoff piano duets, Opus 11; violinist Monique Mead in Massenet’s “Meditation” from Thaïs; pianist Gayle Martin in a Liszt work and popular arrangements of Gershwin’s “The Man I Love” and hymns; and Katherine Soroka in The Lord’s Prayer.

The second half features pianists Dennis Geib in an original composition, Gayle Martin in a jazz arrangement of Amazing Grace, and CATRO in easy jazz standards with Mark DeWalt, vocalist Tammi Dahl, saxophonist David Kana and bassist Robert Insko – concluding the program with “What a Wonderful World”.

Musicians spoke of their love for Art Steffee and of his deep appreciation of music that inspired them to greater heights – and of special times with him as he entertained them at RiverStone Estate and at StoneRidge with Marybeth Hinds Steffee.

Glorious performances honored Art Steffee’s love of music – by musicians whose artistry he had loved over the years.

 Pianists Cynthia Raim and David Allen Wehr

 

Violinist Monique Mead with pianist Gayle Martin

 

Pianist Gayle Martin

If you missed the concert, here is Gayle Martin’s YouTube performance of “Widmung” (Dedication) from her CD “To Keep The Dark Away”, which she had played for Art Steffee on several occasions and performed on the Memorial Concert.

 

Mezzo-soprano Katherine Soroka & pianist Gayle Martin

 

Pianist Dennis Geib

Dennis Geib with Dr. John and Anna Karian

CATRO – pianist Mark DeWalt & vocalist Tammi Dahl

With bassist Bob Insko & saxophonist David Kana

 

Tributes were given by ARCA Board members Katherine Soroka and Dr. Dennis Keyes, also a Red Brick Gallery Cooperative artist. 

Katherine Soroka & Dr. Dennis Keyes

Dr. Louis Keppler, Art Steffee’s resident and beloved surgical partner for many years, spoke of Dr. Steffee’s surgical inventions and legendary career as “The Father of Modern Spine Surgery”.  Dr. Keppler also is a partner with Saji and Shannon Daniel in businesses in Foxburg, Riverstone Estate, and the future Six Senses resort – continuing Art Steffee’s vision for the valley and community.

Dr. Louis Keppler

 

Red Brick Gallery Reception

Following the concert the audience enjoyed a reception catered by Don Ras III with desserts by The Crow’s Cupboard on both floors of the Red Brick Gallery – featuring the spectacular exhibit of The Weavers from the Pittsburgh Center For Arts & Media in the Upstairs Gallery.

Mark DeWalt & Barbara Bott
Karin Arnds and Pittsburgh Center for the Arts & Media Weavers
Gayle Martin & Dennis Geib
Saji & Shannon Daniel

Special thanks to Board members Nancy Hovis and Doug Bell and Mickey Bell for hosting the reception.

Nancy & Tom Hovis

Sincere thanks to Dr. John Karian for his beautiful close-up photos of the artists – and to Dave Staab of The Progress News for his elegant printing of the concert program.

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