A hugely talented group of parents, past and present, from St Stephen’s Primary Church School in Bath recently came together to perform in concert to raise funds for a new school piano. The Piano Shop Bath was very proud to have been involved in the fundraiser.
Local music teacher Jeni Reid explains how the concert came about, ‘I have worked at St Stephen’s for 10 years, first setting up an orchestra when my daughter was in the reception class. I wanted to do something special for the school and that’s when I came up with the idea of a musical evening to raise money for a much needed new school piano! I have been overwhelmed by the number of parents in the school who are professional musicians and were very willing to get involved.’
There was an array of parents and associates of St Stephen’s Primary School who were also professional musicians, turning the concert into an all-star lineup with distinguished musicians from the world of rock, jazz, bluegrass and classical music. Ticket holders were privileged to hear notable rock guitarist Justin Adams, who regularly performs as lead guitarist with Robert Plant.
Also performing was acclaimed jazz pianist and educator Malcolm Edmonstone, whose diverse career includes being a pianist/arranger for BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing. The impressive line-up continued with Leon Hunt, described by The Guardian as ‘Britain’s greatest 5 string banjo player’, plus a host of local professional musicians and music teachers. Flautist Jeni Reid, who masterminded the event, and well-loved singer/songwriter Lloyd Edwards, are both music teachers at St Stephen’s School.
A 6-foot grand piano was provided for the evening by The Piano Shop Bath and it may well have been the first time St Stephen’s School has seen a grand piano in their school hall! Piano Shop Bath owner Jon Kelly said he was inspired by the event and is now match-funding profits made on the night, which will go towards purchasing the new school piano. Headteacher Andy Bowman said he was left ‘speechless’ by this generosity.
Jon Kelly added, ‘When we were approached to support Jeni and St Stephen’s it was great timing; this is a community based project that needed support, which we were able to provide. It’s essential that children are supported in the arts within primary schools in the UK. Only through access to modern working instruments will teachers be able to make a real difference and as a local business we will do what we can to support that cause. It’s been an inspiring journey to see this fundraising mission progress and I believe the new piano will make a real difference in supporting the children in their educational development.’
