Federation Youth Council Community Piano
CommUNITY Piano
The Federation Youth Council’s the CommUNITY Piano Project is set to achieve an outstanding result for Federation Council communities.
A CommUNITY Piano is a piano placed in the street which people passing by are encouraged to play. The concept originated quite by accident in Sheffield, England and is a world-wide phenomenon that the Federation Youth Council feel the area should be a part of. Street pianos are great not just for the music they bring, but are a powerful economic force, and act as a magnet for tourism. Even more important, they help educate and inspire, create a sense of shared ownership and responsibility, and stimulate creativity.
Concerned with the issue of inclusion and acceptance of young people, the Federation Youth Council hope this is the catalyst for people to see each other, make conversation and come together without any prejudice.
The Stage 5 Studio to Street Art class at Corowa High School have been collaborating with the Federation Youth Council to decorate a piano for the CommUNITY Piano Project.
The students have worked with indigenous artist, Iris Troughton, with assistance from Sophia Brear and Corowa High School Art Teacher Michelle Stewart to create and execute the design with the piano expected to be finished before the end of term. When completed, the piano will be placed in a community area and people passing by will be encouraged to play.
The piano is an original Beale Piano, made from local timbers and was made to suit the changeable Australian Climate. It has an all-iron tuning system which means it can continue to be tuned for many years to come. The CommUNITY piano when delivered will be tuned to concert pitch by the very talented Ian from Haynes Pianos in Albury.
The street piano is not unique to the Federation Council. Since 2008, play Me, I’m yours pianos have been installed in more than 50 cities and reached more than 10 million people globally.
Once situated in the community the Federation Youth Council invites local residents and visitors to the area to tinkle the ivories and unleash their inner musician on the CommUNITY Piano.
The Federation Youth Council would like business owners to become ‘Piano Partners’ and support the project by covering the piano at the end of the day or wheeling it inside their business from the outside elements.
If you would like to become a Piano Partner please contact, Amber Harvey, Community Development Team Leader, on 02 6033 8974 or email amber.harvey@federationcouncil.nsw.gov.au.