Bathurst Eisteddfod Society, the Mitchell Conservatorium and Bathurst Regional Council have come together in a joint project which will benefit local and visiting musicians.
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A new Yamaha grand piano has been purchased for City Hall at the Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre.
Members of the community will get to hear the piano for the first time at the 70th Annual Bathurst Eisteddfod, which begins tomorrow.
The new instrument will remain in the hall, which means the resident Steinway does not have to be moved, something that requires specialist movers and retuning each time it is relocated.
Bathurst Eisteddfod Society president Paula Elbourne said the purchase was something they had been thinking about for some time.
Ms Elbourne she loved the idea of the three organisations coming together in order to make it happen.
“This is a really valuable asset for BMEC and anyone else who wants to come and use it,” she said. “It will also protect the Steinway so we don’t have to keep moving it.”
Conservatorium executive director Graham Sattler said they were thrilled to have been a part of bringing this instrument to Bathurst and making it available to such a broad range of musicians in the community.
He said the piano’s arrival would benefit existing and future students of the conservatorium.
“The Mitchell Conser-vatorium is here to serve the entire community. As far as we are concerned, broad community access is the key,” he said.
He added that the grand piano is the ideal size for the space in terms of acoustics.
“This fantastic venue will now be able to be used for numerous events right up to performances by concert pianists,” he said.
“Actually we are bringing the international concert pianist Gil Sullivan here to perform with the Bathurst Chamber Orch-estra on October 3,” Mr Sattler said.
Mayor Gary Rush said project was an excellent example of community co-operation and collaboration.
“What a great addition a grand piano will be for City Hall,” Cr Rush said.
“We are so pleased to support it. This collaboration has provided something that will benefit the performing arts in Bathurst into the future.
“All who participate in the eisteddfod will benefit, and it will also be available for students of the conservatorium to use.
“The result will be the development of musical talent in Bathurst.”
