Mildura has been selected as one of just 19 towns across Australia to receive a community piano through the ABC's Pop-Up Piano initiative.
To mark the Year of the Piano, and the launch of ABC iView series The Piano, the ABC put a call out for communities to apply for the gift of a pre-loved instrument.
Thanks to the advocacy of the Mildura District Orchestra, our community was one of only 19 locations chosen to share in this national celebration of music.
The piano will be officially welcomed on Wednesday 10 September at 10am at the Mildura Visitor Information Centre (VIC), before being available for anyone to sit and play at the VIC over the next six months - or simply relax and enjoy the music created by others.
The launch event on 10 September will feature performances from local music students and members of the Mildura District Orchestra, with the community invited to come along and celebrate this exciting new addition to our city's cultural and artistic life.
Mildura District Orchestra's Liz Lawrence, who was instrumental in nominating Mildura as part of the national initiative, said she was looking forward to the launch event.
"Mildura really is the perfect location to be included as part of this program," Liz said. "We have a history of batting above our weight class when it comes to producing world-class musicians."
Liz said the call had already gone out to local piano teachers and students to be part of the launch event.
"We have a fantastic line-up of local pianists, including a range of ages, abilities, experience and backgrounds," Liz said.
"It's our hope that staff report they've been able to enjoy regular music being played by members of our community.
"I would also encourage any students out there to make use of the piano following the launch to simply practice – especially if you don't have regular access to a piano."
Mayor, and Councillor for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Helen Healy, congratulated the Mildura District Orchestra for their successful application.
"To be one of just 19 locations selected out of 380 applications is a testament to the Mildura District Orchestra's application, and I can't wait to listen to some of the beautiful music this new addition to our VIC will help local musicians create," Cr Healy said.
