2015 Piano Orchestra Project

Congratulations!
​We did it!
We broke a last year’s record! 

​22 people and 29 hands performed on 10 pianos at
Gray’s Piano World,
On Saturday 24 October 2015,
as part of the
​Darebin Music Feast. 

​The Piano Orchestra Project is an event that sets out to prove that anyone can play the piano. It’s also a great excuse to make a lot of noise at the local piano shop. Now in its second year, the piano orchestra project is set to be an annual event, and we hope to get more people each year.
 
The piece, My Cat Plays Piano was written especially for the occasion. It involved performers of all levels, including music readers and non-readers a like. The piece involved black keys and white keys. There were big glorious sounds and small sneaky sounds. Piano students learnt the piece during their piano lessons. Beginner students used their own experience to teach new kids the music on the day. Some families learnt the music together at home before coming to the event. Much to everyone’s surprise, after a very short rehearsal, we performed a piece of music that was longer than the average kid’s (and adult’s) attention span. 

Mellanie Shaylor and her piano students

​Those participating in the event were piano students, piano teachers, their friends, family and a couple of folks who saw the event in the Darebin Music Feast program. The event gave whole families the opportunity to get involved. Three generations of one family were involved, one piano student, plus her mum and grandma! There were several parent and child combinations too. 

​A big thanks to Mellanie Shaylor and her students for coming and getting involved! Mell teaches piano at her studio in Macleod. Some of her students learnt the piece in their lessons and others came along to see what the fuss was about and got swept up and involved in the performance. I have some beautiful photos of the day thanks to Mell’s partner Ben!
 
A big thanks to Gavin Gray from Gray’s Piano World. It’s every piano shop keeper’s worst nightmare to have every one of his pianos being played at the same time, with loud callous sounds! Gavin was so encouraging of the event and not only did he enjoy it, he has invited us back! Gavin’s shop has recently opened a bar and will be running regular events under that name, The Piano Factory. Watch this space for more exciting events coming up. 

Katrina Wilson O'Brien and Mellanie Shaylor.

The Piano Orchestra Project is an opportunity for those considering piano lessons to have the confidence to get up and muck around on these magnificent instruments. For some, this event is the first time that a child has touched an acoustic piano. It is a humbling experience for parents and teachers to be witness to that first step in a musical journey. Especially when that moment is on stage, at a public event, in front of an adoring audience.