Jean Graham always makes sure to keep her piano in tune. Besides playing it herself, the ivories often are used by musicians stopping in town for the Skaneateles Festival.

Graham is one of several Skaneateles residents who opens her home to touring violinists, pianists, harpsichordists and conductors for days at a time throughout the monthlong chamber music series. For nearly three decades, festival organizers have prided themselves on this community-musician connection, offering not only a place to stay but also homecooked dinners.

“I think that makes it kind of unique because not every festival has that kind of attachment to the community,” said Louise Robinson, who, along with late husband and fellow festival co-founder, David, has hosted too many musicians to count. The festival concluded Saturday night with a tribute to David.

The first year of the festival consisted of local musicians, but as the series grew in subsequent years, Robinson found homes for musicians (often her own) who were traveling from across the country and around the globe.

This year, the festival needed to locate 37 accommodations, said Graham, who has helped Robinson organize the temporary living arrangements for several years and recently took on the responsibility herself.

An accommodation may be for a single musician, husband-and-wife performers, or musicians traveling with a child. The length of their stay with Skaneateles residents varies from two to six nights, depending on their schedule, and many locals host for more than one group throughout the month.

“We have many people in this town who have hosted year after year,” Graham said. “It's just a wonderful spirit of support.”

Graham and husband, David, who live on Greenfield Lane, have put out the welcome mat for festival musicians since 1990, filling their grown children's former bedrooms with pianists, directors and their families. Little did the Grahams know that the second year they did so, they would play host to then 12-year-old Hilary Hahn, now a Grammy-winning violinist who has traveled the world.

“Hilary has become like a daughter to us,” said Graham, who has hosted Hahn every time she has been at the Skaneateles Festival, except when the Grahams were renovating their home.

Earlier this year, Graham sent out questionnaires to the musicians and potential hosts, asking the latter if they had a piano, the number of bedrooms in their home, any pets in the residence, and if they would allow children.

With some musicians wanting more privacy than others and some traveling with their families, residents with auxiliary houses (i.e. boathouses or refinished barns) are a big help.

Donald Sundman, of West Lake Road, first got involved four years ago when a musician and his family needed a place to stay. Sundman and wife Chacea had previously attended festival concerts, and they offered up a separate small house that Sundman uses as an office.

“So then we just got into the habit,” said Sundman, who had three members of the Jupiter String Quartet stay with him last week.

The Sundmans have also taken an active role when it comes to festival food. Musicians perform at concerts Thursday through Saturday, and festival volunteer Joan Christy organizes the schedule for who hosts the dinners and when. Some of the hosts cater themselves, and other times residents bring in food potluck-style.

Robinson recalled that for about 12 years, she and her husband hosted breakfast, lunch and dinner for the 15 or more guests, with members of the community helping out by bringing a dish or two. How did they do it all?

“I don't know,” Robinson said with a smile.

On Thursday, the Sundmans open their home to the week's visiting musicians. Sundman said that he likes the interaction with the musicians and enjoys learning about their different perspectives.

“All of the musicians that we have have just been the nicest people,” he said. “They're generous people.”

Though the host families are not asked to provide the musicians with more than breakfast, some like to suggest they stay for another meal or two.

“That's up to the host, and it's a nice way to get to know your guest,” Graham said.

Over the years, the Robinsons became friendly with many of the festival participants who stayed at their home, which is also the location for the Saturday evening performances. One of the musicians Robinson has a particular fondness for is oboist Peggy Pearson.

“She's been a friend of the festival for a long time because she's played with the festival for years and years, and I don't want to send her anywhere else,” Robinson said of hosting Pearson, who performed at David Robinson's memorial service last year, as did Hahn.

Hahn and violinist Andres Cardenes also came to Brook Farm to perform for David Robinson shortly before his passing, Robinson said, noting that they volunteered to do so.

“You get close to people,” she added.

In addition to the friendships, the Skaneateles families also receive another benefit: free entertainment.

At the Sundmans, the Jupiter String Quartet held practice in the smaller house; the building has cathedral ceilings and therefore good acoustics.

And when Hahn performs at the festival, the Grahams can often hear a sneak preview.

“Hilary used to sometimes go in our basement just to sort of get away from everything,” Graham said.

Breakout: If you are interested in hosting a Skaneateles Festival musician in 2008, call

685-7418. Information about the festival is available online at

www.skanfest.org.