Every Note Counts For 85-year-old Jeanne Krausman

Music fills the air in Jeanne Krausman's world. Krausman, 85, is a piano teacher, choral director, and pianist who has been in love with the piano for eight decades. "The piano always has a place of honor in my living room," she said. "I started playing at the age of four, when my brother was late for his piano lesson. His teacher had time to spare while waiting around and I was eager to learn."

The Montclair resident, who grew up in Brooklyn, still gives private piano lessons, enjoys hosting a program of "day music" in recital for friends, and is proud of her work as director of the "In Harmony" chorus. "We perform at assisted living facilities around Essex and Morris counties," said Krausman, who has two daughters and a granddaughter.

"The music makes a memory in my fingers," she explained. "I think of playing the piano as an extension of my fingers. I'm very goal-oriented and I like to share my music with other people."

Recently, she directed a choral work for a performance by a combined group representing Montclair congregations B'nai Keshet and Shomrei Emunah, and Ner Tamid of Bloomfield. "As a choral director, I taught my 16-member chorus the words as well as the music," she said. "It was a labor of love!" She is also active as a choral conductor at the Actor's Temple in New York City.

This grandmother admits that physical limitations do come with the years.  Krausman chooses her music based on "technical and physical limits." Right now, she is studying Claude Debussy's "Clair de Lune," Robert Schumann's "Scenes from Childhood," and the first movement of J.S. Bach's "Italian Concerto." She might tackle the third movement as well, but she's not sure.

A cataract operation 15 years ago did not slow her down. "I played the notes of a favorite piece in my head while waiting for the surgeon," she said with a laugh. After she finishes practicing on the piano, she continues to play by striking the keys in the air. "I sit on the couch to rehearse the piece," she explained. "Music is a language, and every note is important; you can take every note apart."

As a teacher and a student (she studied 60 pages of a Beethoven composition when she was in her 70s) Krausman is aware that the piano requires dedication. "Adults have to make a firm commitment to learn to play. You have to want it. You have to be willing to learn the notes and learn the physical requirements of the instrument as well," she said.

She believes that superior musical talent "is in the genes." However, students can  improve their skills by hearing and listening carefully to the music, she added.

"I wasn't the best student in the classroom, but music was the place where I did shine," she recalled. "And I worked at it." Two years ago, Krausman had a solo recital to mark her 83^rd birthday, as well as a Bat Mitzvah (A Jewish rite of passage usually celebrated at age 13.)

These days the former high school music teacher, granddaughter of a cantor, is still expanding her repertoire. "But nothing contemporary; I like my small world of classical music," she said. Krausman said the Ring Cycle by Richard Wagner is one of her favorites among operas. "I've heard it so many times I know every note," she added.

This petite woman remembers the excitement of watching famous pianists Vladimir Horowitz and Artur Rubinstein perform in person. In her 70s, she had the pleasure of playing on a piano that Horowitz had once used. On the popular side, she always enjoyed the Big Bands of the 40s, as well as singers like Vaughn Monroe and Perry Como. In the world of musical theater, she likes "My Fair Lady" and "Man of La Mancha."

In addition to the piano, she plays the organ a bit, and likes to sing. "I am a tenor now; that's where the voice is. This summer, Masterwork Chorus of New Jersey will have an open sing and I look forward to taking part," she said.

In her spare time, she is helping a friend prepare for the United States citizenship test.

But music remains her top priority. "It's the only way to live so I keep up with my music!" she exclaimed.