This past summer, when our 50 SING FOR HOPE PIANOS were placed throughout NYC's parks and public spaces for everyone to enjoy, there was a group of unsung heroes quietly playing a key role behind the scenes. This heroic volunteer band of SING FOR HOPE PIANO BUDDIES worked to protect each instrument from rain and other calamities, ensuring that all 50 pianos survived the summer in pristine condition.
The task of piano protection was all the more important this year because — thanks to Sing for Hope’s new partnership with the NYC Department of Education — upon the close of the piano's summertime parks residency, all 50 Sing for Hope Pianos had already been promised to permanent homes in NYC public schools, where they will benefit an estimated 16,000 school children.
With the piano's permanent school homes in mind, our 100+ Piano Buddies took extra care to check on their pianos at all hours of day and night, covering them when rain was predicted, uncovering them when the sun returned, and reporting sticking keys, loose pedals, and other occupational hazards to OUR MOBILE TEAM OF PIANO TECHNICIANS.
The process for selecting the 2016 SING FOR HOPE PIANOS scholastic forever homes had actually begun several months before the instruments hit the streets. During the Spring semester of the 2015/16 school year, all NYC public schools across the five boroughs were invited to apply to receive a Sing for Hope Piano, and our team fielded hundreds of applications for the 50 instruments.
(Comptroller Scott Stringer's recent analysis of Education Department data has shown that fully 20% of our urban schools have no arts programming whatsoever, despite the proven benefits of arts education on entire school cultures [State of the Arts, April 2014]). The applications ranged from heartbreaking to inspiring. A few excerpts:
I love the title 'Sing for Hope Pianos because that is exactly what it will give our students — hope! … For our students to be able to stand and sing accompanied by a piano, to listen and watch the music teacher play the piano, to learn to touch and play a piano: these would be remarkable moments! – P17X, Bronx
Music for my students is the best part of their day… All my students deserve a chance to play a real piano. Our school focuses on the students being part of a community… This piano will brighten up the school! – PS401, Brooklyn
Our school serves students often in extreme poverty… large items such as pianos are never able to make it into the budget… Grand Street Campus High School, Brooklyn
Our current piano is on loan from our principal’s house. We desperately need a piano. East-West School of International Studies, Queens
From the hundreds of applications received, fifty schools were selected to receive Sing for Hope Pianos based on immediate need, and the pianos began rolling into schools in September.
Each school was treated to a special Sing for Hope Piano Dedication Assembly Program in which our team recounted the project's history, philosophy, and operational logistics through narrative and images. Performing artists from the Sing for Hope Volunteer Roster helped to inaugurate each piano with a lively musical performance, and student performers joined in with musical performances of their own to welcome the piano into their school.
All told, the 50 Sing for Hope Pianos will be used by over 16,000 students this year — and every year — as the Pianos live on permanently in each school.
Rave reviews are already rolling in:
The Sing for Hope Piano Dedication Assembly was definitely one of the most memorable assemblies we’ve had… We can’t wait to create beautiful music of our own! – Ms. Anderson, P17X, Bronx
Thank you all so much! … The school has been buzzing with excitement since you left … A million thanks! – Mr. Kucher, P811M @ 149, Manhattan
Sing for Hope has made our music classes magical … a symbol of community and love in our school. – Ms. Young, PSM, Washington Heights
Preparations for our next crop of Sing for Hope Pianos have already begun. The 2017 artist-designed instruments will hit the parks and public spaces of all 5 boroughs from June 5–25, 2017, and then move to their permanent homes in schools next fall.
Please help us make this a reality and keep the music playing by donating today at https://www.singforhope.org/donate.
For individuals and foundations interested in joining The Sing for Hope Founder's Circle or The Sing for Hope Visionaries, please contact Sing for Hope Chief Operating Officer Richard Robertson at [email protected].
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“I believe we have a responsibility… Sing for Hope does this every day…”
Dr. Muhammad Yunus, 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
