The Summer Pianist

When Anne Roberts joined Grosse Pointe Unitarian Universalist Church (GPUUC) in 1991, she encountered a custom that surprised her: the congregation took a break from services in the summer. For Anne, a lifelong Presbyterian, and her spouse John, married now for 43 years, this practice was less than ideal. The couple loved spending their winters in Florida, which meant that summer breaks at GPUUC reduced their time with their beloved community on the east side.
A few congregants teamed up with Anne and Reverend John Corrado to create a new vision: member and guest-led summer services that would feature diverse voices from the pulpit of conscience. Congregant Sue Lattanzio became a leader of these summer services, and Anne lent her musical gifts at the piano, freeing Music Director Joseph Palazzolo to focus on planning music for the year.
The Summer Services were kept simple. Instead of the full coffee hour, congregants shared lemonade alongside homemade baked goods. This summer, Tom Pelle, a professional gardener working with Full Circle Foundation, brightened our tables with tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini for salads from the Edible Garden in Detroit.
In those early days, Anne helped plan the services with others, but leadership gradually passed to the Worship Committee, where Anne continues to guide musical programming.
Anne feels that attending and belonging to a Unitarian Church reflects and supports her values, for which she is most grateful. On June 29th, 2025, Anne delivered a sermon of her own, titled “From Baptism to Revelation.” In it, she shared her spiritual journey from her Presbyterian roots to her embrace of Unitarian Universalism.
This summer, Anne’s resilience was tested after she underwent hip replacement surgery with Dr. Richard Perry. She returned to the piano while still recovering and, one Sunday, was suddenly gripped by muscle spasms mid-service. Like an athlete playing through injury, she finished the service despite the pain.
During Anne’s recovery, the congregation enjoyed performances from guest pianists. Freda Giblin, a close friend of the church and a passionate advocate for social justice, played for three services. Rocky Bocci, a student in our religious education program, even helped at the keyboard. At GPUUC, the bench runs deep at the Steinway.
When Anne returned to the piano three weeks later, her playing was as vibrant as ever. The congregation welcomed her back with joy, delighted by her bright and confident performance.
Anne’s relationship with the piano spans a lifetime. She first touched the keys at age three, when her family moved into a new home, complete with a gift from her grandmother, a Knabe piano. By age six, she had formal lessons. The piano has been at the heart of her life ever since.
Even at home, Anne and John play duets together—dueling pianos in their home. Beyond GPUUC, she continues to add to her repertoire by performing with Crescendo, a society of pianists that meets each winter around the islands of Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Anne’s summer contributions are immense. She plays two hymns and at least four programmatic pieces at each of the eleven services—more than sixty distinct pieces to master. Asked how she manages, Anne smiles and says simply, “I have a deep repertoire.”
The season of summer services concludes with Music Sunday on August 31st, 2025. Members and friends will gather to share music and community before the church resumes its regular season on September 7th.
On that first Sunday in September, we will feature coffee and doughnuts in the garden, hosted by John Engstrom. Following, all are invited to a noon gathering in the Religious Education wing where Kathy Konwiak will lead the kickoff of the Social Justice Committee, complete with bagels and cream cheese.
Dueling Pianos Concert
Anne has rehearsed with Hans Barbe for an upcoming concert program. On Saturday, October 11, at 4 p.m., Anne and Hans will perform a dueling pianos concert at the church. Joseph Palazzolo will also revisit the church to play two pieces with Anne. Tickets are available for $25, and front-row seating is available for $50.