88 Keys to Inspiration

Giving access to music

The piano is an amazing product of the industrial revolution!  Its history goes back to the end of the 18th century and much of the greatest music ever written was created for this instrument.  The piano has enjoyed a steady place at the centre of many households as the centre for entertainment and family engagement.  Although it has experienced some decline in popularity in the past fifty years, it is still at the heart of music performance and composition.  Providing opportunities to place pianos into homes where the means to purchase them is not available gives joy to countless young people and their families.

Program Overview

88 keys to Inspiration is a collaborative program made possible between D&S Pianos and The
Aeolian. Both organizations and the community members that donate the pianos believe that
every child should have access to a quality education including a rich arts education. Therefore,
The Aeolian and D&S Pianos have joined efforts to form a music community-building program
bringing quality donated pianos back to life in new homes with young musicians.

88 Keys to Inspiration is about creating music learning opportunities for individual and
community growth through the arts. Pianos are donated through The Aeolian, a registered
charity. D&S pianos look after the initial assessment, tuning and delivering of these pianos to
the homes of applicant children and their guardians. By providing good quality used pianos to
homes of children who cannot afford them, this program fills the gaps between those having
access to a quality musical opportunity/education and those who would not otherwise.

Benefit to recipients

  • A piano in great condition to serve the student for years of valuable practice
  • The value of the donated pianos ranges from $400 to $5000
  • D&S Pianos is also donating the following services with each piano donation. The average value of the listed services is between $500 and $600:
  • Assessment of piano
  • Initial tuning
  • Delivery to recipient’s home

Eligibility

  • Homes of children and youth who don’t have the financial means to purchase a piano
  • Students committed to the El Sistema Aeolian program will be given priority
  • Community spaces which are not commercial businesses and aren’t supported in a large way by public funding (Religious organizations of all denominations that are registered
    charities or incorporated not-for-profits may be considered in a case by case basis, provided that they offer a music program that benefits the broader community)
  • 88 Keys to Inspiration recipients agree to keep the instrument in as good condition as they received it, and understand that regular tune-up and maintenance will need to be scheduled and budgeted for once per year

Apply for a Piano:

To apply for a piano, please download and complete the application below and return it in person, by mail or email.

The criteria for accepting donated pianos:

  • The piano must be less than 50 years of age
  • It must be in excellent condition (we want to give the best possible start to young people’s music education)
  • D&S Pianos will inspect the piano and determine if it is suitable for donation
  • D&S Pianos will give an appraisal for the value of the instrument and The Aeolian will issue a tax receipt

Donate

The Aeolian
795 Dundas St. E., London ON., N5W 2Z6
519-672-7950
elsistema@aeolianhall.ca

Donors:

  • Alana Trimmer
  • Brenda Sutton
  • Dave Sanders
  • Donna Dickson
  • Gary McCaulay
  • Gerry Box
  • Gordon Vogt
  • Harold and Kim Dolan
  • Kibby Brooks
  • Larry Fitzpatrick
  • Leslie and Peter Miller
  • Mhairi Sian Colgate
Thank you for the Magical night! I am spoiled beyond belief for any other performance space.
June Garber – Musician

Rent The Aeolian

The Aeolian is a beautiful, unique, award-winning location to host your event.

While particularly renowned for its acoustic/live music presentations, the Aeolian is a versatile facility and can host all sorts of events from weddings and parties to conferences and fundraisers.

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Give to Culture

Explore the arts. Support your community. Discover yourself.

The Aeolian relies heavily upon a strong base of community support that benefits many projects and events. All contributions, whether small or large, make a huge difference and will help sustain The Aeolian Musical Arts Association’s mission and future.

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