Blayney on song with grand piano purchase

Blayney Shire Council has taken delivery of a Yamaha grand piano for the Blayney Shire Community Centre.

Council says the new piano will enable the community centre to host musical touring programs and support education and school music syllabus.

The piano was acquired by Council with NSW Government Funding of $43,000 through the Creative Capital Funding Program and was strongly supported by the Orange Regional Conservatorium, Arts OutWest and the community.

“The new piano will help to place Blayney on the touring map, hosting regional musical events, visiting artists and help prosper tourism and community engagement; including Musica Viva, Central West Choral Festival facilitated by Arts Out West, Chamber music performances, Opera Australia regional tours and educational music and singing programs and participation in the Small Halls Festival,” Council said in a statement.

“The grand piano will also assist to increase usage of the Community Centre and enable presentation of more music, offer a space for rehearsals, masterclasses and ensembles. There is also the opportunity to enhance educational programs that will add to community wellbeing and value of music in people’s lives and build audience enjoyment which has been hard to do with an out of tune piano, CD or recordings. 

“Council is very thankful to the NSW Government Creative Capital Funding Program for making this possible,” it said.

Local 8-year-old pianist, Dash Dorsett (pictured), recently christened the new piano by providing Councillors with a short recital. Dash was a recipient of the Blayney Shire Music Scholarship and has been receiving lessons at the Orange Regional Conservatorium