08/07/2024
The Headmaster of School has bought seven upright pianos for a total outlay of £16. The pianos have been placed all around the school for children to play at breaktimes and lunchtimes.
Most of the pianos were offered to the school by local residents who no longer had use for them. In fact, four of the “new” pianos were totally free, two cost £1 each on eBay and the “luxury” one cost £13.99.
A school spokesperson said: “The pianos have been placed around the school, mainly outdoors - but under cover.”
Interestingly, the pianos have turned out to be especially popular with boys in Year 9 and girls in the Sixth Form.
Headmaster, Charles Fillingham, previously worked on the Eurostar train and brought the idea up to the from the pianos which are dotted around St Pancras Station in London.
This initiative formed part of Solihull School’s successful bid to be named as Independent School of the Year.
Mr Fillingham said: “Solihull School has some really talented pupil musicians and also some whose playing is less conventional. It is a delight to hear the pianos being played well and I am prepared to tolerate the crashing and banging that sometimes goes along with it.”
On the first day that the pianos were put into the school, a shy boy in Year 8 sat down to play a piece of classical music.
Afterwards, the other children gave him a round of applause.
Charles Fillingham added: “There are worse things that young people can do at lunchtime than mucking around on an old piano. Creativity, innovation, the arts and music are really important for a rounded education – at this price any school could afford to install pianos.”
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