Manjimup community successfully procures grand piano after years of fundraising

A grand piano has found a home in Manjimup after a group of local music lovers worked hard to raise funds to buy it.

Julia Sykes School of Music held the Grand Piano for Manjimup fundraiser to bring a grand piano to the town.

The cause received over 90 donations, including from the Shire of Manjimup, the Manjimup Community Op Shop and individuals who bought keys for $200 each.

A concert will be held at the Manjimup Town Hall to showcase local pianists and celebrate the piano’s arrival.

It will feature artists of varying age and ability, including six-year-old budding pianist Astrid Dronow, singer and pianist Helen Rose, Jadon Dale and Torston Vodesil, who will be performing world premieres, professional pianist Tom Chvojka, and Saskia Dronow, Xavier Jacob, Alexis Green and Madison Horlock from the 4 Keys Quartet.

Sykes Music and Julia Sykes School of Music director Julia Sykes said she was surprised by the support the fundraiser received.

“There’s been massive support from the town who just think it’s a good idea,” she said.

“I didn’t think it was going to go quite so quickly to be honest.

“I joked last year ‘next year we’ll be in the town hall with our grand piano’. I didn’t think it would happen that quickly.”

“I’m going to start what I’m calling the Manjimup Performance Series, so just like three or four performances a year,” she said.

Ms Sykes said it was also going to be great for piano students who would not often get the opportunity to play a grand piano.

“It just makes it special when they perform,” she said.

“It’s going to sound so nice and most of them have digital pianos at home, so it’s a massive contrast to go from that to jumping on one of these.”

The Grand Piano for Manjimup Celebratory Concert will be held in the Manjimup Town Hall on October 15 at 7.30pm. Tickets are available through the GRAND PIANO for Manjimup Facebook page.