To celebrate the year of the piano and the new ABC iview series The Piano, the ABC and Piano Plus Australia have delivered up to 20 pre-loved pianos donated by organisations and ordinary people to towns across the country.
Organisers told The Echo, ‘Members of the Australian public were asked to nominate a place in their local area that they believe should have a piano, and the Brunswick Heads community responded, sending in an overwhelming number of applications’.
Beyond repair
‘An already-damaged piano arrived anonymously in the Soundshell a couple of years ago, and has been repaired on many occasions by local piano tuner, Norman Appel.
‘However, this piano reached a stage whereby it was now beyond repair and had to be removed. The removal was organised and costs covered by our local Brunswick resident and benefactor, Peter Philipps’.
Reflections Brunswick Heads Park Manager, Lorna Carr, said, ‘This has been a community partnership that has been instrumental in not only enhancing communication between many organisations and local stakeholders, but also in generating joy during moments that have tested our community.’
Sense of community
Organisers say, ‘The community spoke of the piano bringing a sense of community togetherness and therapeutic value, especially after the flood, fires, and cyclone’.
‘There was also a notable mention of the delight it was to see local kids run to the piano after school and homeless youth composing songs and being offered a coffee by Footbridge Cafe.
Piano Plus campaign
‘The nominations for the Brunswick Heads Soundshell were successful, and as a result, will be gifted a preloved piano for the public to enjoy as part of the ABC and Piano Plus’s campaign.
‘The piano has now arrived in the Soundshell, where it has been secured and a cover provided. ‘Yantra de Vilder who will be performing at the community launch concert, is also a consultant for the ABC campaign. Everyone in the community is invited to attend this wonderful celebration’.
Free Bruns concert, July 6
There will be a free concert held at the Brunswick Heads Soundshell in Terrace Park, Brunswick Heads on Sunday July 6, from 2.30pm. It will feature local pianists and Yantra de Vilder from Pianos for the People and her choir.
This event has been made possible by the Brunswick Valley Progress Association and Reflections Holidays.
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