Blacktown Hospital alive with sound of music
Blacktown Hospital has celebrated the arrival of a pre-loved grand piano gifted by the ABC as part of their pop-up pianos and television series, The Piano Show.
The wards and hallways of Blacktown Hospital were filled with music in a one-off concert, celebrating health, healing and community.
Just ten locations across Australia were selected as recipients of a piano though the ABC’s Program, The Piano; and Blacktown Hospital was one of those sites.
Acting Director of Quality and Safety Jenna Binsted spearheaded the event, and said the piano was already having an incredible impact on staff and patients.
Speaking on ABC Radio to Hamish Macdonald on their Morning program, Jenna said the piano began having an impact from the moment it arrived.
“When it's played, it reverberates all the way through across the different wards, and you can hear it at the bedside. So up to level four, down to level two, on level three,” Jenna said.
To celebrate the arrival of the new piano, Blacktown Hospital hosted a concert with staff, patients and community members welcomed to attend.
The Keys to Healing: A celebration of music, community and healing concert featured performances from the local police band, medical students, oncology and emergency department doctors, performers from the community. The hospital’s Coolamon Cottage Daycare brought the house down with their rendition of 'Twinkle twinkle little star,' filling the corridors with smiles.
“People come to the hospital every day to visit their loved ones, we want them to really feel trust and connection,” Jenna said.
Partners in our community, the St Clair Men's Shed provided their contribution, crafting a bespoke piano stool to compliment the pre-loved piano. The stool was presented to the District’s Board Chair, Loretta Di Mento.
Jenna says the presence of the piano has elevated spirits of staff and patients.
“The build-up and the excitement of people in the hospital has been palpable,” Jenna said.
Acting General Manager of Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals Shane Widloecher opened the concert and said it was a wonderful way to engage with the community.
“The piano is about connection with the community – people from all backgrounds and circumstances. Our community in Blacktown is unique and worth celebrating – what better way than with music,” she said.
ABC Producer, Gladys Omari, from the Social Impact team said it was a standout concert, filled with care, compassion and curiosity about how to integrate the healing power of music.