51 stunning ‘Sing for Hope’ pianos will hit the streets of NYC this summer
Sing for Hope Pianos via Sing for Hope
Starting this week, 51 beautifully painted pianos will pop up across New York City, available to anyone interested in striking a few keys. As part of its seventh annual event, Sing for Hope is setting up the pianos in parks, public spaces and other high-traffic outside locations in the city from June 4 to June 24. Following this summer stint, the pianos will get permanent homes in 50 public schools. The brightly colored and funkily patterned pianos were painted by artists from around the world, with each instrument featuring its own theme.
A Sing for Hope Piano in Joyce Kilmer Park in the Bronx, June 2016; Photo by Jessica Stack
“These 51 one-of-a-kind Sing for Hope Pianos will not only provide music for three weeks in June; they will also, in alignment with our mission, serve 15,000 New York City students annually after the pianos are delivered to their permanent homes at our ‘Citizen Artist Schools,’ sparking inspiration as a tool for future artists for years to come,” Monica Yunus and Camille Zamora, co-founders of Sing for Hope, said in a statement.
The Citizen Artist Schools program partners with the city’s education department to empower students to use creativity and the arts for positive social change.
“You Will Be Found” piano designed by David Korins, the scenic designer of Dear Evan Hansen
In addition to being designed by some of the best artists in the city and beyond, a few of the “playable masterpieces” were created by Broadway casts from Kinky Boots, Dear Evan Hansen, The Play that Goes Wrong and Wicked.
While typically the event features just 50 pianos, the 51st piano, which comes from a partnership with MINI USA, is a one-of-a-kind piano on wheels. The specially-designed instrument boasts a keyboard and sound system. This mobile piano will travel around the city for pop-up concerts, “bringing music right to people’s doorsteps.”
Learn more about the event and find a piano near you here.
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