
It’s not Sept. 5 yet, but it’s close enough for the library peeps at UCSD. The school’s 15th annual Toy Piano Festival, set for Sunday, Aug. 30 at 3 p.m. and Monday, Aug. 31 at noon in the Seuss Room of the Geisel Library, routinely honors late composer John Cage, whose birthday was Sept. 5, 1912 and who in 1948 wrote one of the first serious works for toy piano. Local boogie-woogie queen Sue Palmer and a number of UCSD musician alumni will be on hand this year, and an award will be presented to the La Jolla Music store for its support of local musical and instrumental needs. The toy piano collection at the Geisel Library features actual instruments, commissioned scores and literature and recordings. In May of 2001, UCSD’s toy piano activities led to the Library of Congress’ creation of a subject heading on toy piano music.








