Placing a piano on the streets for the public to play can be a double-edged sword. On the good side, some hidden talents can be discovered. However, on the flip side, vandalism and noise pollution can occur if it ends up in the wrong hands. This was what happened to the previous piano that was being placed outside The Emporium at Sheffield. It was vandalised to the shock and disappointment of the community.
Thankfully, the community came together to make things better. According to Jenni Sargeant, the co-owner, they received a total of eleven offers for piano donations from the members of the community. “The issue of vandalism really struck a chord with people,” she stated. The Sheffield community was shocked that something like this would occur, especially since it has been enjoyed so much by tourists and residents alike. However, they did agree that it could have been destroyed due to an “act of aggression”.
Jenni went on to say that she often saw people stop in the street to listen as someone played the piano. “Music is a soother of the soul. It’s a way of breaking down barriers,” she added. It has already been a week since The Emporium has had a new piano and so far, the community as well as tourists are taking full advantage of it by playing everything from honky tonk piano to classical.
“We are absolutely thrilled with our new piano. We had a little Chinese girl, a five-year-old, play Happy Birthday a few times through perfectly,” Jenni said. Since a report in The Advocate speaking of the vandalism story, not only has The Emporium received the offers of pianos, but at the same time, it has also come to the owners’ attention that there are some people out there who would love a piano too but are unable to afford one. Then, there are also artists out there who are interested in ruined pianos for their pieces. Jenni feels that it would be really nice if they are able to link all of these people up together. For more of the story, do read it here.
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