Concerned with the issue of inclusion and acceptance of young people, the Federation Youth Council hope the piano is the catalyst for people to see each other, make conversation and come together without any prejudice.
“I am thoroughly delighted to be able to present the finished CommUNITY Piano to you today,” Youth Council Mayor Dylan Forge said at the Tuesday evening launch.
Dylan said over the past 12 months, the Youth Council have actively tried to find ways of inclusion and interaction for youth throughout our council region.
“Projects like Oakland’s Flicks in the Sticks movie night, Howlong’s upcoming outdoor Ping Pong table and Corowa’s newly formed social soccer club are some of the major projects I am proud to help lead here at Federation Youth Council,” he said.
“The CommUNITY piano should be seen as a catalyst for youth and citizens to meet and interact in a fun and exciting way down Corowa’s iconic Sanger Street.
“The development and logistics of obtaining and providing a CommUNITY piano to the people of Corowa has been one of Federation Youth Council’s major focuses throughout our first term in office and great help has come from many people behind the scenes both at council and within the town.”
The CommUNITY Piano, which has been situated out the front of Origin Clothing for the past two weeks, was designed and painted by the Stage 5 Studio to Street Art class at Corowa High School who collaborated with the Federation Youth Council.
The piano is on a three-month trial to gauge the community’s response.
Craig Spencer, and the team at Origin Clothing, agreed to be the ‘piano partner’ late last year, by pushing the piano onto the street in the morning and tucking it away from the elements at night.
Mr Spencer said it was an easy decision to become the first piano partner.
“We saw expressions of interest for businesses to become a partner last year and we thought it would be a great idea,” he told The Free Press.
“We’re always looking for things to lift the atmosphere in the street, it enhances the shopping experience and people find things to do.
“I really appreciate what the kids are doing as well, as well as the council and high school’s initiative.”
Corowa High School students Kaylie Martin, Sarah Knight, Victoria Borg, Ella Harvie, Chloe Hayes, Laura Duncan, Taelah Willett and Skye SephtonHoward worked with local Aboriginal artists, Iris Hill and Sophia Brear to design, paint and stencil the sanded back piano.
Local piano specialist, Ian Hayes from Albury prepared and delivered the piano and the stool was sold to the Youth Council by local piano player, John ‘Banjo’ Patterson.
The piano is free to be played from 9am to 5pm each weekday and Saturday morning until midday by those with no experience whatsoever and experts alike, in a bid to create a powerful economic force as well as the music it brings.
“The CommUNITY Piano Project has provided us with the thrills and enjoyment of such a fun and exciting project for our first year as your youth councilors,” Dylan said.
“We look forward to seeing the unity and inclusion of all users of Corowa’s new CommUNITY Piano.”
The long term plan for the piano is to remain in Sanger Street and shop owners and cafes who are eager to feature the piano and become a ‘partner’ should contact council and express their interest.
Designed to start conversations, activate the area and encourage passers-by to play, pianists of all-abilities are welcome to play the piano. Musicians are encouraged to record their performances and post them to their Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter accounts using the hashtag #visitcorowaregion.
The CommUNITY Piano Project is funded through the Youth Opportunities Program 2018.
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