What’s the score?

Welcome to the Pianodrome

It’s not every day that our pupils perform in an amphitheatre made entirely of upcycled pianos but in May, Neil, Eve, Cliodhna and Pavlina (all S6) headed to the Pianodrome in Granton to do exactly that.

Pupils and staff at The Pianodrome

A charitable organisation set up in 2016, Pianodrome CIC, according to its founders (and bandmates) Tim Vincent-Smith and Matthew Wright, was conceived to “create participatory, community-centred sculptures, made entirely from otherwise disused pianos. As part of a large network of makers, artists, performers and volunteers, we articulate the structure we build through festivals, one-off events and educational experiences.” In August 2018, the 100-seater Pianodrome installed at the Botanic Gardens for the Fringe attracted 18,000 visitors, critical acclaim and international recognition.

The Pianodrome in Edinburgh has become an iconic symbol of community and cultural resilience in Scotland’s capital. Over 100 volunteers helped to build and run the project so we were delighted that Neil, Eve, Cliodhna and Pavlina could take part in the Pianodrome Sessions – a series of short, intimate one-off performances from local and travelling artists, filmed and broadcast on YouTube. The Sessions will be aired over the summer with Eve and Neil, both saxophonists, playing a jazz set of their own compositions, Cliodhna playing Telemann and Frank Martin on the flute, accompanied by John Cameron, and Pavlina playing Rachmaninov and Beethoven. The session is likely to be the first of many and we are delighted to be working closely with the Pianodrome team to develop opportunities for outreach and engagement with other school children and members of the local community.

“Pianos are made from a host of interesting materials and possess their own exotic shapes, colouring and character. Every piano is an individual work of art, so it is wonderful that in this very unique and special place, abandoned pianos are gifted a second life. It creates a magical atmosphere.”

John Cameron, Assistant Director of Music and Head of Keyboard

Rehearsals underway

Our String Ensemble and seven of our pianists headed to Pianodrome in June to record an arrangement of several of the movements from Grieg’s Holberg Suite. They were filmed by Neil and Amelia (both S6) who are keen on developing their digital skills and the collaboration was edited to become part of the Summer Concert, aired on 2nd July.