Syracuse Airport Lands a Piano and Organ. Do You Want to Play There?

Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse Hancock International Airport has two new features in its passenger terminal — a top-of-the-line, $200,000 concert piano and an $80,000 organ.

And it’s looking for volunteers to play them.

Piano & Organ Center, of North Syracuse, has loaned the instruments to the airport for a year at no charge under an agreement with the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority. They arrived on Tuesday and are stationed near the grand staircase in the central portion of the terminal (known as the grand hall).

Airport officials said they are seeking volunteers to play the 9-foot Yamaha concert piano and Lowrey organ to entertain travelers. Only pre-approved volunteers will be allowed to play them. The instruments will be sanitized before each use.

Anyone interested in playing the instruments should call Robert Carbone, co-owner of the Piano & Organ Center, at (315) 436-7505 to schedule a time.

Bob Wolfe, Carbone’s business partner, said the piano is one of the finest in the world and is leased to professional artists for concerts in Albany, Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse. He said performers who have played it include Neil Sedaka, Paul Anka, Alicia Keys, Norah Jones, Jim Brickman and the late Frank Sinatra Jr.

“It still plays wonderful,” said Wolfe.

Carbone said airport officials approached him about providing a piano and organ for the terminal, which recently underwent a $62 million renovation. He said the instruments add a lot of “dignity and pride” to the facility.

“It’s a stunning example of architecture that matches what they did to the airport,” he said. “It adds a lot of class.”

In addition, the music that comes from the instruments will have a calming effect on stressed-out travelers, he said.

“You’ve got to remember, when people are walking in the airport, they’re running up the escalators and trying to get through TSA, their hearts are pounding, they’re wearing masks, they’re uncomfortable,” he said. “So when they walk by the piano, they hear the music. It’s a little bit calming. It’s very effective.”

Rick Moriarty covers business news and consumer issues. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact him anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148

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