STEINWAY OPEN DAY RETURNING TO BAYCOURT THIS LABOUR WEEKEND!
Local musicians can tickle the magnificent ivories of Baycourt Community and Art Centre stunning Steinway D-274 grand concert piano this Labour Weekend!
Due to massive popular demand Friends of Baycourt is proudly hosting a second Steinway Open Day in the Baycourt Addison Theatre on Sunday 21 October, from 10am.
The open day is for people of all ages and abilities, and there is no charge for people wanting to play the Steinway.
To be able to play the piano keen musicians will need to book in a timeslot by emailing FOB Chairperson Anna Finlayson-Smith before Saturday 20 October. But Anna says people will want to make a booking pretty quick because spots during the last Steinway Open Day in March were snapped up extremely quickly.
“You can play any music of your choice and you are most welcome to bring your own audience, in fact we encourage you to do so. The Steinway Open Day is also perfect for music teachers who would like to bring their pupils along,” said Finlayson-Smith.
“For Friends of Baycourt we simply want people to come to Baycourt and enjoy private time with this absolutely magnificent piano on the Addison Theatre stage.”
The Steinway D-274 grand concert piano first arrived in New Zealand from Germany in March 2009, after then FOB chairperson Jane Mason had an ambition to see a Steinway piano at Baycourt.
The Tauranga Regional Concert Piano Trust was formed to raise the necessary funds, and as part of the fundraising they came up with the novel idea of selling the black and white keys to the piano. As a result, the Steinway keyboard was purchased and each donor’s name was recorded against his or her chosen key.
The keyboard is now proudly mounted on the wall in the small lobby that leads into the Addison Theatre. Finlayson-Smith said the inaugural Steinway Open Day in 2017 was such a huge hit with everyone involved that it was an easy decision for FOB to bring the event back for another year.
“The pianists who took part in open day last year were so amazed by the Steinway and very much loved the opportunity to play what many of them called the ‘best piano in the world’. Many of them also asked us to hold the open day again in 2018, and so here we are!”
The Steinway Open Day is at Baycourt Community and Arts Centre, Durham St, Tauranga, on Sunday 21 October, from 10am.
Entry is free. Bookings are essential.
To book a timeslot please email Friends of Baycourt chairperson Anna Finlayson-Smith at dameanna@talk.co.nz or call 07-577-7189 before Saturday 20 October.
