As students dressed in suits and skirts weave their way around the crowded dining room balancing plates, searching for seats, and chatting with friends, soft music fills in the space underneath the noises of Sunday brunch.
Tim Morrison, CEO of Saga Inc., started Sunday brunch on Hillsdale College’s campus in 1988. That same year, he brought in student pianists to provide live music, said Steve Casai, customer service representative for Saga.
Morrison’s first job as a food service director was in 1980 at an all-women Catholic college, where the dining hall was open to the public, though most of the locals did not realize it. Morrison changed that through the institution of a Sunday brunch marked by homemade waffles and omelettes.
“And there was always a pianist,” Morrison said.
He carried the tradition of brunch and piano to the next two colleges at which he worked, including Hillsdale, and he was met with success on each occasion.
Morrison wants the pianists to always be students. The only Sundays they have ever brought in outside help are on Easter and Mother’s Day because students are away.
The Grewcock Student Union building was built in 2008 and, once again, pianists were hired to play at Sunday brunch.
“It is successful. The only problem is space,” said Morrison.
The dining hall has enough room for the student body, but due to space restrictions, the room for locals is minimal.
Nonetheless, Ryan Richert, sophomore and Sunday brunch pianist, said, “The people who enjoy [the piano music] the most are people from the town.”
Richert took private piano lessons since he was eight years old and continued through his freshman year.
Richert said he began playing last semester. He asked Casai if he could play the piano one weekday and received permission to do so. In the same conversation, Casai inquired if Richert would be interested in playing the piano on Sundays. After a short interview process which consisted of playing music appropriate for a Sunday morning atmosphere, Richert got the job.
Morrison explained that Casai is in charge of all the hiring and scheduling that accompanies the Sunday pianists. More than once, he has recruited students to play.
Senior Dara Wagenmaker is another Sunday pianist and received the job three years ago. She said Casai approached her about playing when he heard about her accomplishments on campus as an accompanist for student vocal majors and small ensembles as well as being a piano teacher.
“I’m not a huge performer,” she said. “People are not paying attention to every mistake though, and I appreciate that part.”
She enjoys playing – from twelve to one every Sunday – and mentioned that she plays more often than when she first began, as there were five or six pianists at the time and there are currently only three.
“It has been fun so far,” Wagenmaker said.
She no longer takes piano lessons, so she said the job is great to keep her practicing.
Wagenmaker and Richert, along with junior Spencer Amaral, currently make up what Richert referred to as the “team.”
“We have become friends because we all have the same job,” Richert said.
Amaral also plays piano with Unite, a jazz combo, and his own band “Wind-up Monkey.” During the second semester of his freshman year, he inquired about the position after noticing other people were playing. When he discovered it was an actual job, he spoke with Casai and learned that there were openings.
“I like playing piano. I love playing music. It is the best job in the world because you help other people have a good time. If they aren’t, you are doing something wrong,”Amaral said. “I think it is one of the best paying jobs on campus, too. It is $15.00 an hour, but it is only an hour a week.”
In addition, generous students and visitors from the town occasionally tip the pianists.
“That is always appreciated,” Richert said.
Personally, Morrison prefers classical music, but the pianists are willing to play most anything. Richert said he has never received bad feedback about the piano-playing.
All three pianists said they do take requests, although their playing styles differ. Whereas Amaral generally plays by ear, both Richert and Wagenmaker primarily play from sheet music.
Regardless of variations in their styles, the students, locals, and particularly Casai enjoy listening.
“It’s [Casai’s] special thing,” Richert said. “He’s always on top the schedule. We know each other by name now through this job. [We have] gotten to know each other better. He’s a nice guy.”
Jeffrey Gaiser, freshman, said he was also approached by Casai. He has filled in twice already, when the current pianists had scheduling conflicts, but will not start officially until January. Like Richert, Casai wanted to see what Gaiser could play.
“He doesn’t necessarily want classical music,” said Gaiser. “He wants covers or more modern music – something that can be heard over the brunch din.”
Gaiser is excited about the opportunity and he likes giving back.
