Making the Steinway sing at Shepparton community concert

Local musicians will put the public-funded piano to good use, performing a range of musical pieces, from classical to contemporary.

ANPAC music co-ordinator Carolyn Leslie said the community concert gave professional and amateur pianists a chance to utilise the Steinway.

“Some students from Goulburn Valley Grammar School are playing, and it gives them a fantastic opportunity to play in front of a live audience,” Ms Leslie said.

“And for somebody like James Waterhouse, who writes his own music, he gets an opportunity to perform and let people hear his work.

“This year, we have a new item called a revolving duet played by four people, which will be fun for attendees to listen to.”

Aside from helping organise the event, Ms Leslie will also be playing on the day.

“I did exams and eisteddfods and competed at various things, but once you go past that stage in life, there's not much opportunity to play in public,” she said.

“I’m excited, and a little nervous.

“The Steinway is a six-foot concert grand piano — you have to work hard to make it sing,” she said.

Ms Leslie said pianists and visitors alike would enjoy hearing the beautiful instrument.

“It’s not often you get to see a piano of this quality getting played,” she said.

She encouraged residents to “come along and support our local talent”.

The event starts at 2pm.

The entrance fee is a gold coin donation, with proceeds going to future Australian National Piano Award events.