Every library in the London borough of Haringey has been installed with a new Casio piano in a bid to improve local residents’ access to music.
The pianos – nine Casio GP-310 models equipped with headphones – will be bookable online in slots of up to two hours per day, and were purchased by Haringey Council at a discounted rate.
Higher than average poverty levels
Thirty-four per cent of people living in Haringey live in poverty, compared to 28 per cent in the average London borough, and this initiative is part of the local government’s mission to ‘level the playing field’.
Councillor 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.’
The pianos have weighted wooden touch-sensitive keys to emulate a concert piano, and are accompanied by benches, headphones, castors and protective covers.
'Shining example of inclusion at its best'
Leonora Davies, former Ofsted music inspector in Haringey and now member of the borough's hub advisory group, told MT: 'When music hubs were first set up there was an intention that music and arts organisations might work together for the benefit of their local communities. This is a wonderful example of real partnership in action between the local council, the libraries, the music service, and of course the providers, Casio.
'It is a shining example of inclusion at its best; a resource that will not only provide music educational benefits for thousands of young people who might not be able to afford a piano like these in their own homes, but it can be a source of joy and pleasurable activity for many others in the communities, reaching across the borough from Muswell Hill to Tottenham.'
She added: 'This initiative, in part, grew out of valuable discussions within the recently established hub advisory group. As a former music inspector in the borough and now serving in the advisory group, I am absolutely delighted that the initiative has come to fruition.'
Neil Evans, head of Casio EMI, said: ‘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 reconnect with music.’
Haringey Libraries members can book a piano session online or by speaking to a member of staff.
