A piano gifted from Tawa College is music to the ears of Ōtaki chorister Ann-Marie Stapp.  

“This has been a long-time coming, after the old Memorial Hall pianos fell into disrepair and were unable to be tuned correctly,” Ann-Marie says. “They had become defunct over many years, and I have been trying to get a replacement for some time.”

A grant from Kāpiti Coast District Council’s community grants scheme has facilitated the relocation of the piano, which was no longer needed.

“We will make a koha to the college for this generous gift to our community. For so long, we had to make do with electric keyboards, so this addition to our hall, and to our community, is really magnificent.”

The piano will make its debut at Ōtaki’s Spring Sing at the Memorial Hall on Sunday (September 15).  

“We invite everyone at 2pm for a wonderful afternoon of music and our local choirs,” Anne-Marie says. “Entry is only a gold coin donation, and there is a wonderful line up of choirs from around the Kåpiti region.”

Ann-Marie started the annual concert in 2016, and it has grown. Although there has been a push to move it to Paraparaumu, she wanted to keep it an Ōtaki event. 

“Our hall is best suited as there are about 140 singers, plus the audience.”

The concert promises something for everyone, and it’s hoped will spark interest for new additions from the community to get involved in a local choir. 

Jenny Scarlett, a professional Kåpiti pianist, will play a movement from Brahms and the Highland Mass, and will join eight choirs in Spring Sing: Kåpiti Women’s Choir, Kāpiti Songsters, Ōtaki Ecumenical Singers, Voices in the Wind, Kāpiti Choral, Let’s Sing Ōtaki, Sing Out Levin, and Kāpiti Senior Choir.