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Pianists Have 'Afternoon Of Fun'

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By JOYCE McKENZIE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 8, 2007

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TEMPLE TERRACE - Temple Terrace artist and music teacher Virginia Rhan Halloway hosted a piano recital in her home Tuesday, an affair at which several other prominent members of the community performed or were among the guests.

Although the music at such events can be wearisome and the formally outfitted spectators are often stiff and stodgy, Halloway's happening was, by design, quite the opposite.

It was an occasion at which her students and their friends gathered at her home in casual holiday garb for an informal afternoon of lighthearted piano performances, including "Jingle Bells" and "Frosty the Snowman," by the fun-loving apprentices she's taken under her wing.

Each of the pianists, however, was significant in his or her merit.

Among them were Liz Affronti, wife of Temple Terrace Mayor Joe Affronti; Judy Johnson, a professional visual artist and member of the National Organization of American Pen Women; and Carol Singleton, who sings with the Toast of Tampa women's show chorus.

Also performing were Joyce Meitin, a member of numerous Temple Terrace service organizations, and Tamera Beisler, who's involved in community theater and is a water aerobics instructor at the Temple Terrace Family Recreation Complex.

Halloway is the wife of Temple Terrace Councilman Ken Halloway and the mother of two grown children, son Rahn Musgrove and daughter Renee McCoy, who also performed.

Mayor Affronti, dressed in a short-sleeved sport shirt, sipped a glass of eggnog while enjoying the music, which included Ken Halloway in a holiday sweatshirt on the organ.

"It's meant simply to be an afternoon of fun and I want everybody to just relax and enjoy themselves," Virginia Halloway said. "If you wanted perfection, wait for our recording."

Liz Affronti embraced the suggestion to have fun.

"I'd like to enter a lot of disclaimers. ... We'll see what happens," she said, just before playing her holiday selection.

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849 or jmckenzie@tampatrib.com.

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