135 pianists help break a record

135 people signed up to take part in the record-breaking event with 111 pianos being played.

This unique event, titled 101 Pianos, allowed participants to enjoy the happiness of music making at the piano and was open to players of all ages and abilities. The event took place on Saturday 22 November at Sherwood Phoenix Pianos, Mansfield (NG18 1QX) and pianists enjoyed performing two pieces together, ‘Prelude in C/Ave Maria’ by Bach / Gounod and ‘In the Hall of the Mountain King’ by Grieg.

There are lots of interesting stories amongst the people who played including husband-and-wife teams, siblings, grandparents and grandchildren, a three-generation combination, James Naish MP for Rushcliffe, the owner of a taxi company who hadn’t played for many years and some players who travelled long distances to take part. Steve Yemm MP for Mansfield welcomed all the participants.

Councillor Rowan Cozens, Deputy Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council and Portfolio Holder for Heritage, Culture and the Arts at Newark and Sherwood District Council explains more, “After our Alive With Music launch earlier this year, and the feedback we received, it is very apparent that music and music-making is important to people across our district. People use it to get together, to feel better and to share joy!

“This fantastic community event brought together like-minded individuals, giving them time to focus on the beauty of music and the many wellbeing benefits that it brings.  It also provided an opportunity to shine a light on the creative sector and the incredible impact that music has on lives as well as fundraising to acquire a world class, high quality piano for the community of Newark.

“This event is a great example of the wider community and ecosystem of our district working and supporting one another. Stephen Pringle founder of Sherwood Phoenix studied piano restoration at Newark College and has gone on to have a very successful business that sends pianos all over the UK and beyond and I am delighted to have worked alongside him on this incredible event. The event provided a rare opportunity for pianists to meet, and I am thrilled that we worked alongside the Reawakening of St Mary’s project to support the purchase of such a wonderful piano to be located in one of the most beautiful and inspiring buildings in Newark, St. Mary Magdalene’s Church.”

Pianists spend a lot of time on their own, rarely meeting one another in the way other instrumentalists do. Many people play the piano and enjoy the happiness that music making brings, especially because it is an accessible activity with benefits for all ages and abilities. This event was about more than breaking records with the organisers fundraising to acquire a world-class, high-quality piano for the community of Newark which would benefit learners, performers, and audiences alike. Following the restoration work phase of the Reawakening of St Mary Magdalene, the piano would be housed in the heart of the community at St Mary Magdalene’s when the church reopens.

101 Pianos is for anyone, and many school children and grandparents have already signed up. You can sign up and find out more on the event website at www.101pianos.co.uk

You can view one of the performances here: https://youtube.com/shorts/OTkxqqiKyqs?si=FBxzkqEsWPmoLER9