AUBURN - Steven Mayer, world-renowned concert pianist, filled Westminster Presbyterian Church Sunday with the sounds of classical overtures and ragtime jazz during a performance.

The audience let out giggles at the end of each whimsical jazz piece and sat in silent awe when the more conservative pieces concluded.

The recital was the first in this year's annual Adams Foundation Piano Series. In its ninth year, the series is still going strong in Auburn, attracting hundreds of locals to the church to hear a sampling of the nation's great pianists.

“The program's purpose is to bring classical piano to small cities throughout the U.S.,” said Tom Hussey, a volunteer for the foundation.

“We give people a chance to hear music they wouldn't otherwise.”

The series allows Auburnians to listen to music that was written to be performed in smaller music halls, such as the church, said Hussey.

Typically, foundation performances accommodate from 300 to 500 people, as they are performed in smaller venues in 25 small cities across the U.S.

Cayuga Community College students and faculty were some of the guests. Even CCC president Daniel Larson showed up.

“I love music,” said Larson. “I have a doctorate in music, so this is right up my alley.”

Larson described how a live recital is so much more meaningful than a recording.

“This is not the same as a CD or an iPod,” he said. “There is something that is absolutely electric about a live performance. You never know what's going to happen.”

Larson was right. Mayer entertained the audience with the planned repertoire and then played a few more unexpected pieces at the conclusion of the performance.

His ragtime and jazzy tunes from Jelly Roll Morton and Art Tatum caused a mass eruption of satisfied laughs from the audience.

Mayer stressed the importance of getting students and young people out to these concerts.

“I want to continue the exposure to and the knowledge of this art for the future,” Mayer said. “They come and want to hear it, so I do my best to continue the dissemination of the beautiful art of piano ... I'm glad to be a part of that.”

Several students did get a taste of the classical genre, something they admittedly were not used to.

Darcy Wright, a freshman at CCC, came to get some extra credit in her rock music class.

“I normally don't do things like this,” she said. “After a while, the music kind of gets to me. It's interesting to listen to.”

Another CCC student, sophomore Danny Browne, came as part of his music appreciation class.

“I did definitely enjoy that,” he said of the first three classical pieces played. “I thought it was amazing, what I've heard. I've never heard anyone play the piano like that.”

Auburnian Barbara May said she's seen Mayer play at the church before, several years back.

She said the music was amazing.

The Adams Foundation Piano Recital Series was started in 2001 by Stephen Adams, a businessman, and Richard and John Contiguglia, twin duo-pianists originally from Auburn, according to Mayer.

Adams, inspired by the twins' music, wanted to find a way to support the nation's pianists.

The piano recitals were his answer to this challenge.

Staff writer Kelly Voll can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or kelly.voll@lee.net.