GRANTS IN ACTION: Grand Piano Refurbishment
GRANTS IN ACTION: Maintaining an Important Resource for the Local Music Community
With the support of a 2025 Spring Community Grant from Community Foundation Grey Bruce, the Georgian Bay Symphony completed the Grand Piano Refurbishment project: much-needed maintenance on its concert grand piano. The refurbishment will help keep the instrument in good playing condition for the orchestra, local music students, festivals, choirs, and other community groups that rely on access to a concert-quality instrument.
The piano underwent an extensive regulation process at the Harmony Centre in January 2026, with two piano technicians working over several days to complete the maintenance. Regulation involves adjusting the piano’s action to ensure the instrument responds and performs as it should. The work is expected to maintain the piano’s condition for approximately seven to ten years before another regulation is required.
The Georgian Bay Symphony uses the grand piano at least once each season when bringing guest pianists to the region. Its use, however, extends well beyond the orchestra. Local piano students preparing for their Royal Conservatory of Music final examinations use the instrument to practice on a concert grand similar to the one they will encounter during their exams. The piano is also used during the Grey County Kiwanis Festival and by other community music groups, including the Georgian Bay Concert Choir. For more than 35 years, it has served as a shared musical resource for performers and students throughout the area. Reflecting on the importance of the instrument, Linda Hawkins shared:
“The piano has been a beloved part of the area's music community for over 35 years! Kiwanis Festival competitors, senior piano students and choirs have all been able to use it. There is not a concert grand north of Orangeville of this calibre. We are so very fortunate to have a piano of this high calibre available!”
– Linda Hawkins, Member of ORMTA, Grey County Kiwanis Festival Chair and Artistic Director of the Georgian Bay Children's Choir
By completing this refurbishment, the Georgian Bay Symphony has helped ensure that this important instrument remains available to professional musicians, emerging performers, students, and community organizations for years to come. Community Foundation Grey Bruce is proud to support initiatives that maintain access to arts and cultural resources and create opportunities for musicians and students to participate in the performing arts across our region.
with the piano scanner
