The Educator Magazine U.K. Sept-Dec 2022 - Magazine - Page 44
Pianos for the people: Pianos
installed in Haringey libraries to
give all residents access to music
Music is in the air at Haringey libraries.
All Haringey residents and library users
will now have access to high quality
musical instruments after the council
installed premium digital hybrid pianos
in all nine of the borough’s libraries.
All of the libraries will now be home to a
Casio GP-310 - a model that was selected
for its high sound quality and weighted,
wooden touch-sensitive keys that make
it as close as possible to
playing a traditional concert piano.
Unlike traditional pianos, however, these
ones are equipped with headphones to
ensure that budding musicians don’t
disturb other library users when they
play.
The pianos, along with benches,
headphones, castors and protective
covers, were procured by Haringey Music
Service in partnership with the Libraries Service. Casio provided generous
support to Haringey Council to help with
purchasing the instruments.
The pianos are free to use for all Haringey
library card holders, and time slots of
up to two hours per day can be booked
online.
Cllr Zena Brabazon, Cabinet Member for
Children, Schools and Families, said:
“We know that access to musical
instruments and education can have a
transformative impact on children’s lives.
But all too often this is a privilege that
families on lower incomes struggle to
afford.
“With this initiative we’re levelling the
playing field, giving children from all
backgrounds access to high quality
instruments at accessible locations
across the borough. And it’s not just
children who will benefit – residents of
all ages and musical abilities now have
the opportunity to use these pianos to
explore music, practise, compose, attend
workshops, or just play to relax and have
fun.
“This is such a creative project, where our
libraries offer everyone an opportunity
to enjoy and play music. A big thank you
to everyone who made it happen!”
Cllr Julie Davies, Cabinet Member for
Communities and Civic Life, said:
“In Haringey we’re proud of the
investments we’ve made over many
years to keep all of our libraries open and
expand
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the services that they provide for
residents.
“Our libraries are a lot more than just
places to read and borrow books –
they’re hubs offering all kinds of support
and activities for residents. These pianos
are the latest addition to this everexpanding offer, and we hope it will be
just the first step in introducing access to
music technology into Haringey libraries.”
Neil Evans, Head of Casio EMI, commented:
“Music holds the power to enhance the
lives of people from all walks of life.
We’re proud to support Haringey Council
on this wonderful project and pleased to
see a new example being set in making
music more accessible to its community
through its library services. We
encourage more initiatives like this that
give people of all ages and backgrounds
the opportunity to learn, play, connect or
re-connect with music.”
If you are a Haringey Libraries
member, book your piano session today
at https://mypcbooking.haringey.gov.
uk/ or by speaking to a member of staff.
To learn more about the Casio GP-310,
please visit www.casio.co.uk/gp-310bk