An Australia-wide project led by the national broadcaster has brought music to the ears of genU Eastern Hub Community Centre participants and patrons. 

The Eastern Hub successfully applied for a Pop Up Piano through a creative ABC initiative and was one of the lucky organisations to be gifted a donated piano. 

The ABC is celebrating the Year of the Piano with their new series, The Piano, which saw them partnering with Piano Plus Australia to deliver pre-loved pianos, donated by organisations, to towns across Australia. Winners, including the Eastern Hub, were unveiled during the Classic 100 in Concert broadcast on Saturday 21 June. 

The Australian-built Beale piano arrived from Braybrook and was soon the centre of attention at Eastern Hub, with community members eagerly gathering to listen to local piano players ply their exquisite musical skills. 

The performances were amazing and matched only by the incredible community vibe, with people singing and applauding, getting into the spirit of the occasion. 

Pianists on film 

To capture all the fun, the ABC filmed the piano’s arrival, performances, and community appreciation. Video clips were highlighted during the Classic 100 in Concert, and the Eastern Hub was featured prominently on ABC social media to promote the Pop Up Piano initiative.

genU’s very own in-house pianist, Robert Kelly, had the honour of the ‘maiden performance’ and wowed the crowd in typical fashion, reeling off several classics. 

Robert, who has been vision impaired since he was a baby, started playing piano at the age of 10 and advanced to formal piano lessons in his teens. His extraordinary talent to listen to a tune once and then replicate it means he has a broad repertoire and is often called upon to play wherever a piano or organ presents itself. 

Geelong piano player Alice Hu led other guest performers, including St Ignatius College students Finn and Sienna, and Ocean Grove’s Ben Shaw, all entertaining the crowd. 

Starting as a five-year-old, Sienna has been at the piano for 11 years. These days it’s 5am practice for a few hours before the school day beckons and Sienna enjoyed the opportunity to perform songs for a live audience. 

“It was really cool – the atmosphere was so fun when I was playing, everyone was smiling and clapping and I felt very supported and didn’t feel nervous at all,” Sienna said. 

“I chose Wildcat because I am doing it for one of my piano exams – it’s a fun piece and I love Christopher Norton, and Love of My Life by Queen because I wanted a song I could sing to as well.”

Growing up in a musical environment, Sienna understands the collective joy that’s created from the magic of a keyboard and hammers striking strings. 

“Piano is something my whole family has been taught how to do and it brings us together – we enjoy it,” she said.

Ben’s lifelong association with the piano also grew from a family passion. He agreed the addition to the Eastern Hub had the potential to add another dynamic to the community connection at the venue. 

“I think music brings people together and a piano might encourage more people to come in, just to enjoy music in a relaxed setting,” Ben said. 

“People probably don’t play piano as much socially these days. This [piano] creates an opportunity for people to play for others in the community.”

Having studied and taught and dabbled in jazz, Ben treated the audience to an original piece, having recently returned to writing music, with a focus on nature and the environment. 

“Playing an instrument is one of the rare things you can do when you’re not thinking about other stuff…you can be truly in the moment,” he said. “Writing music is also a really good thing for your mental health, you can tune out, pardon the pun!”

Around a piano is the place to be

Piano Bar Geelong’s Andy Pobjoy led a rousing rendition of She’ll be Coming Around the Mountain and Dancing Queen before the crowd joined in to sing Happy Birthday to popular Season’s Café supported employee Bowan. 

Geelong icon Andy was delighted to see the reconditioned musical instrument find a new home. Having seen the impact of live music, Andy believes the piano will be a vibrant attraction at the Eastern Hub. 

“Any piano renaissance is a positive,” Andy said. 

“Pianos used to be in community halls all across the country, it was a big thing…you made your own music and we have seen it come back in a massive way. Piano bars all over the country are going crazy, and it’s not just an old person thing.

“Live music is such a part of our lives, whether you see it everyday day or not. 

“You put a piano in a public space – we’ve seen it in Melbourne or the airport – there’s a magnetism towards it, and soon as someone starts playing, people gather around. So that’s the power of having a piano in a public space like this.”