In 2004, Greater Shepparton City Council and community members put their heads together to fundraise for a community piano.
The piano, a beautiful new Steinway, was acquired with one condition; a promise to hold community concerts and keep the piano for use by the community.
The Australian National Piano Award Committee, which has held nationwide piano competitions in Shepparton since 1992, was approached by the council to organise a community concert using the new piano to meet this condition.
This Sunday, May 26, talented local pianists will continue the tradition by taking a seat at the Steinway to perform for the community.
“It (the ANPA) was originally established to give Australian pianists an opportunity to compete at a high level and establish their career. The prize money then allowed them to pursue further study,” the ANPA’s Carolyn Leslie said.
For the ANPA, the upcoming community concert Playing for Pleasure is all about recognising the talents of the region, and providing opportunities for local artists’ careers to flourish.
“As part of our community service, we hold a concert each year which lets local pianists play on the Steinway,” Mrs Leslie said.
“We want the community to come along, we want people who like playing and can play well to come and have a go.”
The concert will showcase a wide array of musical pieces, from baroque to contemporary.
Songs to be played include a duet performance of The Beatles’ song When I’m 64 and performances of selected songs from jazz artist George Gershwin’s impressive catalogue.
Mrs Leslie also revealed that a crowd favourite from a previous concert would return to delight crowds once again this year.
“James Waterhouse, who comes from Alexandra, will perform a piece called Nostalgia from Yanni as well as his own composition River Lights,” she said.
Goulburn Valley Grammar School students Kabeer Tawde and Aditi Xavier will also take to the stage, providing a glimpse of the region’s young and up-and-coming talent.
“People should come along to hear this wonderful instrument being played, and to hear the wonderful talents of the Goulburn Valley,” Mrs Leslie said.
The ANPA has served the community by placing a spotlight on local talent for over 30 years.
The gold coin entry fee will be used to fund future concerts and competitions to further these efforts.
The ANPA has many other events scheduled for later this year, including the competition (which is held every two years) from October 7 to 12.
A recital performed by past winner and one of three senior competition judges Jayson Gillham will also take place in October, days before the national competition.
Meanwhile, a student-focused concert will be held in late July. The ANPA has asked those interested to contact their school music teachers for more information.
For details, visit: australianpianoaward.com.au
Event information:
When: Sunday, May 26 at 2pm
Where: Riverlinks Eastbank, 70 Welsford St, Shepparton
Cost: Gold coin donation