Get Involved

Key Up for Kids Piano Playathon

Held annually for more than 20 years, Key Up for Kids Piano Playathon raises funds to benefit the American Family Children’s Hospital and the Child Life program.

Organized by Madison Area Friends of Piano (MAFOP, see below), more than 200 performers and thousands of listeners participate in this annual event - one of Madison’s largest public piano performances.

How "Key Up for Kids" Helps Kids

Proceeds from Key Up for Kids benefit the Child Life program at American Family Children’s Hospital. Child Life helps children cope with their hospital stay by providing play, distraction and preparation. Donations provide toys, games and supplies for many music and art activities for patients and their siblings during their stay.

2013 Key Up for Kids

The 21st annual Key Up for Kids is scheduled from 9am-5pm Feb. 9, 2013, at Barnes & Noble, West Towne Mall, 7433 Mineral Point Rd., Madison.

To Participate in Key Up for Kids

Piano Students

If you are a piano student, and would like to participate in Key Up for Kids, first contact your piano teacher to sign up.

To raise funds for the event, use the pledge form (pdf) or create your own personal fundraising page to donate online.

For Those Collecting Pledges

If you raise funds using the Pledge Form, please bring the completed form and any checks or cash collected to the Playathon. 

All funds not collected at the Playathon need to be turned in by February 23. They can be given to your piano teacher, or sent to:

Connie Jones
36 Arboredge Way
Fitchburg, WI 53711-7213

Checks should be made out to American Family Children's Hospital. All donations are tax deductible.

Piano Teachers

Register for your studio's block of time, available in 15-minute increments, by contacting Connie Jones by e-mail at jajones2@wisc.edu or phone (608) 442-8302.

Encourage your students to collect pledges using the pledge form (pdf), or encourage them to create their own personal fundraising page to collect donations online.

Be sure to write your name and phone number on the pledge form before copying both sides for your students. On average, students raise twice as much money using the online personal fundraising page compared to paper forms.

A prize will be awarded to the teacher whose students generate the highest donation total in pledges.

About Madison Area Friends of Piano

Madison Area Friends of Piano is a coalition of piano dealers, teachers and tuner-technicians whose sole purpose is to promote the benefits of playing the piano. MAFOP was established in 1992 as part of national program called Study of Piano Enhances Life and Learning Successes (SPELLS). Madison is the only city to maintain the coalition. Members include:

• Farley's House of Pianos
• Madison Area Piano Teachers Associated, Inc.
• Piano Technicians Guild - Madison Chapter
• Heid Music