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26 November 2019

Players wanted for pianos donated to Bristol City Centre Hospitals to support patient, staff and visitor wellbeing

Ten pianos are being donated to University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust's Arts and Culture programme, prompting a call for musicians to gift their time and their talents to an 'Audio Advent Calendar' throughout December.

The installation is part of the Trust's wider #UHBristolArts programme, which relies on partnerships and collaborations to provide creative activities for patients, visitors and staff.

Thanks to a collaboration with The Piano Shop Bath, the donated pianos will be cleaned, restored and placed in UH Bristol's outpatient waiting areas.

Anna Farthing, Arts Programme Director, is now inviting pianists and other acoustic musicians to offer a gift of some relaxing, upbeat live music to fill the programming windows in an Audio Advent Calendar through December.  

Anna said: "Following a pilot project last year, we know that live music can raise the spirits of our hardworking staff and soothe the anxieties of patients of all ages. We are therefore immensely grateful to The Piano Shop Bath and all of the generous donors for providing us with this permanent infrastructure on which we can build a music programme. Whether it's for a one-off session, or to become a regular contributor, we are keen to hear from musicians who would like to help people feel more relaxed in our hospital spaces'.

Musicians wishing to participate can contact the Trust via a survey link ( https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/PIANOPLAYERS). As well as donating their time and talent to the hospital's patients, visitors and staff, participants may also help raise money for the hospital's charity Above and Beyond, which helps funds initiatives to improve patient experience and wellbeing.

Robert Woolley, chief executive, said "Research recently published by the World Health Organisation shows unequivocally that live music can help improve health and wellbeing, including the management and treatment of illness, and that the soundscape has a bearing on how people feel about their time in hospital. I am therefore delighted that this new collaboration has delivered this gift of pianos to our hospitals and I hope that it sows the seeds for future partnerships with cultural organisations and individuals who can help us improve the aesthetic environment of our buildings."


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