A brand new home for our historic Grand Piano

October 23rd 2020

We love a feel good story for our local Town, it’s history and it’s people – and that ‘feel good factor’ has recently come in the form of a blossoming new relationship between Two Rivers School and The Assembly Rooms involving the rehoming of a historic and beautiful Grand Piano. 

The Grand Piano was commissioned specifically for the Assembly Rooms. It is the handmade Bechstein Grand Piano, originating from Germany and its serial number ‘25477’ shows its manufacture dating back to the year 1890, making it an impressive 130 years old.

It has had many famous fingers play its beautiful chords including Roy Chubby Brown, Colin Sell, The Ken Dodd Show, Westenders, The Bohemians and The Nick Ross Orchestra, to name drop a few. 

For the past 4 years, especially for its protection during the renovation project, it has been in storage in Birmingham with a specialist piano storage company Teagues, to ensure it received the best possible care. 

However, it has now found itself a new home at Two Rivers School in their Music Room on a permanent loan basis. Gail Brindley, the schools Headteacher was delighted to say ‘yes’ when she heard that it was looking for a new lease of life. She and her family have had strong connections to the Assembly Rooms through the TMTC for many years. Gail used to be the Music Director of the Tamworth Ladies’ Choir and she also played the Flute in the Pit Orchestra for the Tamworth Arts Club in the late 1980s, with her last show being Peter Pan. As such, being able to house this historic piano was an opportunity not to be missed for Gail. 

On the 22nd October 2020, history was made as the exchange between The Assembly Rooms Peter McAuley and Gail Brindley took place, when the piano officially arrived at its new residence. 

Gail and the wider Two River’s community cannot wait to use it, with Gail stating that “it will be much loved and enjoyed here by staff and pupils alike”.

We are very excited to see what the future holds for our Town’s historic piano. We are sure it will be put to great use. Watch this space.