NATCHEZ — If the rosewood grand piano sitting in Rena Jean Schmieg’s living room could talk, it could tell a few stories.

The 1878 Steinway grand piano might reveal stories of the famous international musicians who have played dozens of songs on its keys at Schmieg’s musical parties. It might perhaps recount the many years it spent at Twin Oaks with friends and family gathered around it singing songs of merriment during Schmieg’s childhood. It may even reveal the whisperings of Schmieg and her siblings as they played house underneath it when they were children.

But when The Dart landed on Schmieg’s State Street house this week, the piano sat silent, and Schmieg did the storytelling.

Schmieg’s father, Dr. Homer Whittington, bought the piano right after World War II in the French Quarter in New Orleans.

“I think they had to take a few windows out and lower it down from the house,” Schmieg said.

Schmieg’s father brought the piano back to Natchez to Schmieg’s childhood home at Twin Oaks.

“It was the center of every-thing there,” Schmieg said.

The piano now sits in the corner of Schmieg’s front room and is a gathering place in her house much like it was at Twin Oaks.

Schmieg’s exposure to mu-sic caused her to develop a love for music early in life. Although she admits she is no musician, Schmieg’s passion for music drives her work with the Natchez Festival of Music. Schmieg is the president of the festival guild and has been busy lately with preparations for this year’s festival in May.

Once the festival’s artists arrive in Natchez, Schmieg said many of them usually drop by her house to practice on the piano or to take turns playing songs during one of Schmieg’s musical gatherings.

Schmieg said a few years ago some festival artists dropped by with a couple of cakes, and Schmieg’s house soon became somewhat of a concert hall.

“Pretty soon all these artists started showing up, and they put on a major concert right there at that piano,” she said.

Schmieg said it means a great deal to her that the piano her father bought so many years ago has served such a wonderful purpose in her life.

“It will always be very special to me,” she said.