Keyboard Society

The Keyboard Society - The Story

The Hornby Island Festival is more that 25 years old and still provides excitement and rich diversion to our summers on the island. A major component of past festivals had been the presentation of concerts by a number of Canada's leading concert pianists. Unfortunately, for a number of years, these events were discontinued as the cost of renting a concert level piano, transporting it to and from Hornby and having it tuned had become prohibitive.

A Dream...

In 2007 the Festival Board decided to revive an old dream - to pursue the purchase of a high level grand piano for Hornby Island. With our own high quality grand piano, not only would we be able to present more variety in our classical programme for the Festival, we would be able to attract world class musicians throughout the year.

To make this aspiration a reality we first had to determine which particular piano would best suit our needs, be attractive to concert pianists, and be a sound investment. In considering these requirements we were extremely fortunate to have the advice and support of Ms. Jane Coop, an internationally renowned concert pianist and head of the piano division of the UBC Faculty of Music. Jane Coop has performed in our Community Hall and knows very well the size and type of piano that would best suit our needs and attract good pianists. With Ms. Coop's guidance we located a piano and an accomplished restorer.

The piano is a 1923 Bechstein D grand piano. Bechstein is very well known in Europe and among serious pianists around the world. For interest's sake it was also the choice of Franz Liszt and Claude DeBussy.

Fund Raising

Our next step was to reach out to our Island community during the spring and summer of 2008 as we worked towards reaching our goal of raising funds for the purchase of the Bechstein. In order to facilitate this process the Festival created The Keyboard Society. "Keys" on the piano were sold by way of tax deductible contributions. Other components of the piano such as the bench and pedals were also available for "purchase." Being a member of the Keyboard Society has provided individuals, families and businesses with the opportunity to make a lasting contribution to the artistic enrichment of the residents of and visitors to Hornby Island.

Our fund raising endeavours culminated in a wonderful evening which took place on Wednesday August 6, 2008, at the Hornby Hall. The programme for the evening featured pianist Robert Silverman playing on a Bechstein piano almost identical to the one that was to be restored for us. The restorer, Dietmar Schmuecker, was also in attendance as he kindly lent us his own piano for the evening. The fundraising event also included good wine, good nibblies and a chance to mingle and visit with Mr. Silverman, and the restorer. It was with great pleasure that Gary Duke, Festival Board Member, announced that, through the generosity of so many, we had reached our goal of raising the entire purchase price of the Bechstein.

The Bechstein Rebuilt

Over the winter of 2008/2009 our Bechstein was rebuilt to exacting standards. The hammers were re-felted in England and the case went through a four month refinishing process. The piano was done on schedule and the finished instrument was shipped to its new Hornby home in March. The first public performance on the piano will be for the Hornby School children by the restorer, Dietmar Schmuecker, himself an accomplished pianist. The following evening, on April 10, 2009, acclaimed concert pianist, Ian Parker, will truly bring this dream to life with the first recital on our new piano.

Thank You!

The Hornby Festival Society would like to thank all of the Keyboard Society Members for sharing in our vision of a beautiful piano for Hornby Island, a piano which will benefit everyone for years and years to come.