A New Grand Piano for Galway, July 2003

Galway City Council recently purchased a new Baby Grand Piano for the musical fraternity, Galway, on the suggestion of St. Patrick's Band and the Galway City Arts Officer. The new piano is housed in St. Patrick's Band premises (the Bandroom) in Frenchfield Lane, Forster St.

The City Council took advantage of a one-off sale of grand pianos following the AXA Piano Competition recently held in Dublin, the 'brainchild' of renowned international pianist, John O'Connor. A unique arrangement between AXA Dublin International Piano Competition, Steinway & Sons and Piano Plus created a rare opportunity for Galway to acquire a piano of this standard, having been used for only three weeks, and made available at a price well below the normal retail value.

As the pianos were offered on a "first come, first served" basis, there was keen interest from many parties nationwide. A Boston Baby Grand by Steinway Co., USA was chosen on behalf of the City Council and St. Patrick's Band by Audrey Corbett (being an authority on music was generally agreed to be the best person to choose the piano from the thirty on offer).

While the sale was clearly an opportunity not to be missed, the piano nevertheless represented a significant contribution by Galway City Council to Music and the Arts in the City.

- St. Patrick's Band, Frenchville Lane, Forster St., Galway