GPC News Autumn 2017 ( II ) Instrument of Change

The Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival runs across the country till Oct 29th. Last week we brought 'Libby' to the CCA to support the screening of an original documentary on streetpianos in London, telling a few people's stories including 'Michael', who plays the pianos in St Pancras train station ~ made reasonably famous by Henri Herbert ( 15 million Youtube hits & counting ) who was also in town recently and played a few tunes on our baby grand in The Living Room at 'The Space' in Calton. Watch the trailer for Maureen Ni Fiann's film opposite and a previous short film ... here. If our project has been instrumental in a process of change for anyone, we would love to hear about it. Please contact us at: info@thepianoprojectcic.co.uk

Over the past four years we have seen all types of people attending our LOD's for many reasons. The videos opposite tell something of that story. This event will be an experiment and a wee departure from our usual '15min slot' format, with no requirement to book.
We aim to be flexible and respond to any 'walk-ins' who would like to play on the day. Visit our website here to see how the day looks with 3 sessions: Beginners, Free Play & Off the Cuff performance.

11am - 1pm is intended for children receiving tuition from local piano teachers, for beginners ~ or anybody still shy of an audience.

1pm - 3pm is a Free Play session at the Steinway Grand Piano in the main hall with around 15 mins playing time per person ( max ) 3pm - 4pm is set aside to enjoy listening to some singers and players including: Kate Barrie, Helen Minnis, Grace Allison, Alan Kenny and Geoff Angus. We can play on after 4pm if needed.

You can also play both Beatrix-Rose or the Broadwood at anytime throughout the day. Many thanks to our hosts MQC for their continued invitation for us to return and their never ending supply of tea & biscuits. Full Mackintosh Festival brochure details . . . here

'Fern' is going strong at the QEUH as Kate Barrie kicked off a new series of musical events in the hospital atrium with a piano recital. Click on the talking heads to view Ian Marland's video article in INews and read about Kate's concert in the Hamilton Advertiser. Our next installation will be at The Royal Infirmary, arriving by Nov 30th. Settling in to her new home at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut is 'Jean', given a vintage dressing down by Megan from RCoS Prod Arts Dept. If you are not familiar with King Tut's it is described by the NME as 'quite possibly the finest small venue in the world'. Gosh. Now their downstairs bar has a 'Marshall & Rose' piano for the world's musicians to play . . . enjoy.

On a personal note, I found myself identifying strongly with numerous characters in all 3 of the short films shown last week at the CCA for the Music Matters screening during the SMHAF. 'Instrument of Change' is more than a good title. Beyond a catalyst for interaction ( that pianos in public spaces can be ) for me, it is the often fleeting contact with the level of meaning inside ourselves that can be instrumental in any process of growth and change. The creation of opportunities to share something more than the world of words ( namely music ) can surely only help reduce the realities of isolation and disconnection in our cities and our culture.

I leave the last word to Angus as he ran around our new homebase in Shawlands Shopping Centre, choosing a piano for his house. What more can I say . . . " I want Mr Pink ! ".